Domelovo calls for more rigorous and purposeful vetting process

Former Auditor-General Daniel Domelovo has urged Parliament to adopt a more serious and purposeful approach to the vetting of ministerial nominees, citing concerns over the effectiveness and depth of recent sessions.

Speaking on TV3’s Key Programme on Saturday, February 1, 2025, Domelovo expressed disappointment with the current vetting process, stressing that it often lacks the necessary scrutiny to assess nominees' true competencies.

According to Domelovo, the primary role of the vetting process is to evaluate nominees’ qualifications and ensure they are capable of executing their designated roles.

"The essence of any job interview is to ensure the nominee is qualified, and that mindset should be reflected in the vetting process," he stated.

He criticised the tendency to focus on trivial matters rather than assessing the technical expertise, experience, and ethical background of nominees.

"If the president believes a nominee is fit for the position, the main question should be whether they meet the basic qualifications—anything beyond that should be a more serious examination."

Domelovo further questioned the relevance of certain vetting questions, citing instances where nominees were asked about past involvement in martial arts rather than their professional qualifications.

He also raised concerns about the limited time given to nominees during their vetting, citing cases where some were rushed through in as little as eight minutes.

"International best practices demand that vetting sessions last longer to allow for a thorough review of the nominee’s background and qualifications," he explained.

According to Domelovo, the vetting process should serve the public interest, rather than being influenced by political considerations.

Domelovo’s remarks follow a chaotic incident during the vetting process on Thursday, January 30, 2025, when several Minority MPs, including the Chief Whip and Deputy Whip, were involved in a public altercation.

The Speaker of Parliament swiftly intervened, condemning the unruly behaviour and warning that such actions would not be tolerated.

Domelovo commended the Speaker’s decisive response, stating, "I was pleased to see the Speaker address the situation with speed and firmness." He emphasised that such conduct undermines the credibility of the parliamentary process.

To improve the efficiency and fairness of the vetting process, Domelovo suggested that clearer guidelines be established to ensure equal time allocation for all participants.

"If the Minority Leader is allotted an hour, then perhaps they should be given 10 or 20 minutes to ask questions, but no one should be allowed to dominate the entire session," he proposed.

He also warned against the dangerous practice of "negative benchmarking," cautioning Ghanaians against justifying harmful political actions based on past international crises, such as the Rwandan genocide.