Ahead of Friday March 23, 2023’s parliamentary sitting, Leadership of the New Patriotic Party, is urging all its members in the House not to miss the day’s sitting.
A statement signed by the General Secretary, Justin Kodua, said: “following the outcome of the proceedings of Parliament on Thursday, March 23, 2023, [leadership] hereby urges all members of the Majority Caucus to be present at the House to fully participate in all parliamentary proceedings and voting scheduled for the day.”
On Thursday, leadership of the House failed to reach a consensus on the approval of six persons nominated by President Akufo-Addo for appointment as Ministers, Ministers of State and Deputy Minister.
During this sitting, the First Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Appointment Commitment, Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu, moved a Motion on the floor of the House, for the nominees to be approved.
Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, advocated for the nominees to be approved despite
He acknowledged hearing his colleagues on the Minority side complain about the ‘bloated’ number of Ministers, however, he contended that the high numbers were as a result of the new regions which were not present during previous tenures.
He, therefore, urged Members of the House to approve the Ministerial Nominees to enable them to help the President to prosecute his agenda for the nation.
Mr Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Majority Leader, who seconded the Motion, noted that all the Nominees except Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng were sitting Members of Parliament (MPs).
The Deputy Majority Leader said he believed the Nominees had the qualities to make in roads in their respective sectors.
Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the Minority Leader and Ranking Member on the Appointment Committee in Parliament, said the position taken by his side of the House to reject the six Ministerial Nominees were based on principles and that in the midst of the current economic challenges facing the country, there was the need for the President to cut down the size of the Government.
Thus, entreated the House to disapprove the appointment. Following the back and forth, the Speaker adjourned the day’s sitting and said the House will vote on the matter today, Friday, March 24, 2023.
It is against this background that leadership of the NPP is entreating its members not to miss the day’s sitting.
“The Party continues to appreciate the efforts of the Majority Caucus in getting the business of the House done despite its latent challenges.
“The leadership of the Party entreats the Majority Caucus especially, the Whips to ensure that no member of the Caucus absent himself or herself from the House on Friday, March 24, 2023, to get Government Business accomplished in the supreme interest of the country,” the statement said.
“The Party is committed to supporting and rallying behind the government in achieving the desired economic transformation for the good people of Ghanam,” the statement added.
Source: The Independent Ghana