MPs accuse President of violating law on appointment of Council of State Members

Members of Parliament have accused President John Dramani Mahama of appointing and swearing-in members of the Council of State without recourse to Parliament.

The President swore-in the eleven member Council of State chaired by Madam Cecilia Johnson on Wednesday.

In Parliament on Friday, MPs insisted the president violated the Standing Orders by failing to inform Parliament before appointing and swearing-in the Council of State members.

The issue was first raised Member of Parliament for Sekondi, Papa Owusu Ankoma who quoted Standing Orders 172 of the House which stated clearly that the president ought to have brought before the Appointments Committee of Parliament, persons he has appointed as Ministers and Council of State members.

Papa Owusu Ankoma stated that the president was expected to have brought his nominees before Parliament, to be vetted and approved.

The issue drew a lot of comments on the floor of Parliament.

The House agreed to form a committee led by the Speaker, the Chairman of the Appointments Committee of Parliament as well as the leadership of Parliament, to meet with the president and find an amicable solution to the problem.

source:Myjoyonline