Let vetting reveal truth; not witch-hunting

Today (Friday) in Parliament, five nominees are expected to be vetted for various positions, including vital ones such as the headship of Ministry of Education and that of Interior.

Names so far put out by the President for Ministerial positions reveal, at least, that eight female appointees, including Sherry Ayittey, Betty-Mould Iddrisu and Hannah Tetteh, indicating a commitment by the current administration, perhaps, to outdo the previous John Kufuor administration in terms of the female slot.

Whatever the intentions, biases or preferences of the President, Mr. John Evans Atta Mills, regarding his choice of appointees, one requirement is that he strives to elect the most capable people to make Ghana a better place not only for members of his party to live in, but also others as well who think differently.

As the Chief Executive of State and also a former Vice-President, we believe J.E.A. Mills stands in a unique position to absorb all pressure by interest groups in his party or even outside of it in determining what should - in all good conscience - be the best options and choices.

At the Thanksgiving Service held on Sunday at the Independence Square in Accra, the President sermonized on the need for all Ghanaians to work and live together in unity, reiterating his firm commitment to be a father to all Ghanaians to the best of faith in God and the calling to lead the nation.

As required by the Constitution, the Executive has made its appointments. The next step is that an august body representing the people and, who have been appointed by Parliament, vet nominees based on information they have of their various abilities and capabilities as well as weaknesses and peccadilloes.

As is always the case or tradition, people, groups or individuals with information that can assist the Vetting Committee have the liberty and imperative to come forward and cooperate or contribute to a healthy process of good governance.

Whilst the exercise is constitutional and well-intentioned, it is possible that some political elements with petty interests, and who have an axe to grind with a nominee pop up to assail the dignity and integrity not only of the process, but also sometimes of a particular nominee.

Ministers, we believe are appointed to serve national, and not parochial or cronyist interests. They are to act out their roles in the best interests of our health, agricultural, educational, economic, cultural, social, environmental and other aspirations. Such responsibilities obviously cut across party lines

That is also why we expect that the President, the Vetting Committee and groups that appear to contribute to the process look at the larger picture rather any attempts at bringing down an individual who may have the best intentions of serving nation and God.

Ghanaian Observer therefore calls on all stakeholders to avoid the witch-hunt mentality in making their committee's work successful and in culminating in the appointment of the dream team needed to carry out the President's vision.