Members of Parliament may approve the newly appointed Ministers through secret ballot, the Chairman of Parliament’s Appointments Committee has said.
This, according to Joseph Osei-Owusu, is a result of the Minority’s reluctance to second the Majority’s validation of the officials at the committee level.
It follows the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) earlier directive that its Minority Caucus declines approval of the new ministerial nominees.
Joe Wise, as he is popularly called, indicated that should the Minority MPs toe their party’s line, this may force the committee to do so even though “our recommendation will be that, the Minority says yes, the Minority says no.”
“If we recommend approval by consensus, then, the decision is taken by voice vote. But when it’s recommended by a majority decision, then the report is adopted by a secret ballot,” he added.
President Akufo-Addo on February 7, nominated six NPP members to replace some outgoing ministers.
They have been vetted by the Appointments Committee awaiting approval by Parliament.