Oti Bless deserves ministerial appointment — Nkwanta-North NDC

The youth of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Nkwanta-North Constituency have called on President John Dramani Mahama to consider appointing the Member of Parliament of the area, John Oti Kwabena Bless, into his government.

The youth said it was disappointing that Mr Bless had been left out of the ministerial nominees of the President although he had made enormous sacrifices and held the party together since 2012.

At a press conference held at Kpassa on Wednesday (January 22), the Nkwanta-North NDC Constituency Communication Officer, David Uwumborkan Nalibey, said the failure of the President to nominate the four-term MP for the area to any ministerial portfolio was not only disappointing, but also demoralising.

“We urge the NDC leadership and the President to reconsider their decision and recognise the invaluable contributions of John Kwabena Oti Bless. His appointment would not only be a testament to his hard work and dedication but also a demonstration of the NDC's commitment to rewarding loyalty and excellence,” he stressed.

Context

Following the swearing-in of President Mahama as President of Ghana on January 7, 2025, he has started appointing persons to serve as ministers, CEOs of state agencies and presidential staffers.

So far, 42 persons have been appointed as ministers designate, with six of them having been vetted by the Appointment Committee of Parliament, approved by the

House, and subsequently sworn into office by the President. The other ministers designate are still being vetted by the Appointments Committee.

However, there have been some reservations about the appointment of the ministers in some parts of the country.

For instance, the NDC members in Ho in the Volta Region went on a rampage and destroyed the party office for being overlooked in terms of the appointment of ministers.

At the President’s backyard in Bole in the Savannah Region, some party youth also demonstrated over what they said was the failure of the party to recognise their MP for appointment.

Mr Nalibey said although the youth in Nkwanta-North were aggrieved by what they described as neglect of their MP, they had decided to use peaceful means of expressing their concerns in the larger interest of the party.

Again, he said because Mr Bless had the party at heart, violent means of expressing their grievances would not be countenanced.

Qualities of the MP

He said Mr Bless, who wrestled the seat from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in 2012 and protected it on four consecutive terms, had sterling leadership qualities that made him excel in spite of the perilous times in opposition.

"As the NDC members of Nkwanta North, our hardworking MP has instilled in us a sense of loyalty and dedication to the party; and this constituency has been a backbone of the NDC for decades; and that is why we are disappointed that he has not been given any ministerial appointment," he said.

"With an impressive record of serving our constituency for four consecutive terms, Hon. Oti Bless has demonstrated unwavering commitment, unrelenting passion and selfless sacrifice for the betterment of our constituency.”

Again, he said having previously served as a former Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development during the first tenure of President John Dramani Mahama, the Nkwanta-North MP had shown exceptional leadership and vision that needed to be tapped into for development.

Touting other qualities of Mr Bless, he said the MP had chaired the sanitation committee in the 8th Parliament of Ghana; was a ranking member of the Government Assurance Committee; and a member of the Roads and Highways Committee.

Other appointments

He also appealed to the President to consider other hardworking members of the party in the Nkwanta-North Constituency for appointment into positions of state agencies.

“We believe our constituents are equally qualified to serve as presidential staffers, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), deputy CEOs and others,” he said.