The Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Richard Ahiagbah has criticized the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for earlier calling on its lawmakers not to approve the ministerial nominees of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
He said the conduct of the main opposition party does not make it an alternative party to govern the country.
Speaking on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, March 25 while contributing to a discussion on the approval of the nominees, he said “The NDCs conduct shows they cannot be an alternative. There is a conduct that is associated with the NDC and that’s greed.”
The NPP has commended its Members of Parliament for voting massively to approve the ministerial and justice nominees.
The party also commended the National Democratic Congress (NDC) lawmakers who also voted in support of the nominees.
“Kudos to our gallant MPs for standing firmly behind the Government and ensuring that the President’s nominees for Ministers of State and Deputy Minister as well as for the Supreme Court were approved! The nation is also grateful to the brave NDC MPs who stood for #GhanaFirst,” the party tweeted.
On Friday, March 24, Parliament, through a vote, approved the nomination of Justice George Kingsley Koomson and Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu, for appointment as Justices of the Supreme Court.
Justice Kingsley Koomson, had 139 “Yes” votes while 133 voted “No”. Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu also had 138 “Yes” votes and 134 “No” votes.
Parliament also approved all the ministerial nominees of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo after a vote.
The Speaker, Alban Bagbin after the ballot on Friday March 24 said “Honourable Members, at long last collation of votes has ended. The register of 275 eligible voters, 3 voters were absent so 272 did exercise their franchise. The results of the voting are as follows; Honorable KT Hammond 154 Yes, 116 Nos, rejected 1, Bryan Acheampong, 167 Yes, 98 Nos, rejected 4, abstention 3. Stephen Asamoah Boateng 147 Yes, 122 Nos, 3 abstentions. Mohammed Amin Adams 152 Yes, 117 Nos, rejected 1, abstentions 2. Osei Bonsu Amoah 149 Yes, 120 Nos, abstentions 3, Stephen Amoah 146 yes, 123 nos, 3 absentions.”
“The House has accordingly approved the nominations of the following persons as ministers and a deputy minister in accordance with 79(1) of the constitution.”
Prior to the vote there was heated exchanges regarding the report of the Appointments Committee on the recent vetting of the nominees.
While the Majority pressed home the demand for the report to be taken on Thursday evening, the Minority members on the Committee denied knowledge of the report, asking for more time to study it.
This led the House to suspend proceedings to allow the Minority Group study the 63-page report for the debate.
After the debate, Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin postponed putting the question on the motion for the approval or otherwise of the nominees.
“The question will be put tomorrow [Friday, March 24]. I proceed to accordingly adjourn the House till tomorrow at 10 in the forenoon.”
