Parliament approves Churcher

Accra, Feb 15, GNA - Parliament on Tuesday unanimously approved the nomination of Ms Christine Churcher as Minister of Environment and Science after the House had adopted the third report of the Appointments Committee that vetted her last week.

Moving the motion for the adoption Mr Freddie Blay, the First Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Appointments Committee, said the committee has dutifully performed its function under the Standing Orders of the House.

He said in accordance with the Constitution in respect of the nomination of Ms. Christine Churcher, "I recommend the nominee, by consensus, to the House for approval."

Mr Haruna Iddrisu, NDC MP for Tamale South, said there was the need regional and gender balance in the nomination of ministers in accordance with the constitution.

He said out of 35 ministers approved only three are women representing less than 10 per cent.

"At least 44 to 50 per cent of cabinet ministers should be women and should be regionally balanced to enable our women to get more involved in governance."

However, Mr Stephen Kwaku Balado-Manu, NPP MP for Ahafo Ano South, disagreed with Mr Iddrisu saying, "It is too early to conclude that the President has finished with his nominations."

"Since the President will be nominating more ministers, I believe by the end day more women would be included."