8 ministerial nominees approved; Agyarko, Osafo-Maafo on hold

Parliament has approved the nomination of 8 ministerial nominees to serve in the Nana Akufo-Addo led New Patriotic Party  (NPP) government.

A report presented to the House by the Appointments Committee, tasked to vet the nominees, recommended the approval of 8 out of the 13 nominees who appeared before the committee with the minister-nominee of Energy, Boakye Agyarko, and Senior minister nominee, Osafo Maafo being excluded.

It is unclear why the two nominees were not recommended for approval.

Suggestions are that, they are yet to submit some vital documents  for clarification, regarding their stance on certain issues they raised during their vetting.

'Approved ministers'
The following ministers were duly approved by Parliament and will officially commence work after they have been sworn in by the President.

Albert Kan-Dapaah (National security minister-designate)

Ken Ofori Atta (Finance Minister-designate)
Alan Kyerematen (Trade and Industry minister-designate)

Gloria Akuffo (Attorney general and Justice minister-designate)

Ambrose Dery (Interior minister-designate)
Dominic Nitiwul (Defence minister-designate)
Hajia Alima Mahama (Local government and rural development minister-designate)

Shirley Ayorkor Botchway (Foreign affairs minister-designate)

The 24-member Appointments Committee of Parliament hosted the first batch of the ministerial nominees to assess their preparedness to occupy the office between Friday, January 20th and Tuesday, January 24, 2017.

The Committee is expected to vet the second batch of ministerial nominees by the President from Monday, 29^th January, 2017.

'Akufo-Addo nominates ministers'
Following his inauguration as President, Nana Akufo-Addo named some 36 nominees expected to serve in his government as ministers.

Nana Addo has also upon his assumption of office, made several other appointments to change the heads of various institutions including the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Ghana National Petroleum Commission, National Communications Authority among others.

He recently named ten nominees to serve as regional ministers in his government.

–
By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana