New ministers: Oppong Nkrumah, Morrison, Bobie to be vetted Friday

All eyes will be on Parliament Friday as the Appointments Committee begins the vetting of six nominees for ministerial and deputy ministerial positions.

Appearing on the first day are Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah for the Ministry of Information, Ms Cynthia Morrison for the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and Mr Evans Opoku Bobie for the Brong Ahafo Region.

A statement issued by the acting Director of Public Affairs of Parliament, Ms Kate Addo, said the public hearings “are in accordance with the Standing Orders of Parliament.”

“Pursuant to Order 172 (3) of the Standing Orders of Parliament, following the President’s nominations, the Parliament of Ghana announces that the Appointments Committee will hold public hearings to consider the six Ministerial and Deputy Ministerial appointments on October 26, 2018 and October 29, 2018, respectively”, it said.

Second day

On Monday, October 29, 2018, the second batch of nominees will also appear before the Appointments Committee.

They are Mrs Paulina Tangaba Abayage for the Upper East Region, Mr Martin Oti-Gyarko, Deputy Minister nominee for the Brong Ahafo Region, and Mr Samuel Nuertey Ayertey, deputy minister nominee for Eastern Region.

The vetting process

At the vetting, the nominees are expected to answer questions bordering on their educational backgrounds and work experience.

The committee members will also solicit answers from the nominees in relation to the policy direction they will be proffering for their respective ministries.

After the vetting, the committee will write a report to Parliament, recommending by consensus or a majority decision for a nominee to be approved or rejected by the House.

Thereafter, the plenary will consider the report and after contributions from members, the House can approve or reject the nomination.

When the House approves the nomination of a minister or a deputy minister, the President will then swear in the minister or deputy minster for him or her to assume work.