Vetting of ministerial nominees begins

Parliament's Appointments Committee has begun the vetting of the president's nominees for ministerial positions in Accra.

The first to appear before the Committee chaired by first deputy Speaker, Freddie Blay was the Attorney General and Minister for Justice designate, Joe Ghartey.

The Attorney General is proposing a review of the country's sentencing policy to allow for more community service. He said the current practice where every offence is punished with a prison term has led to the over-population in the country's prisons.

Mr. Ghartey made the proposal when a member of the Committee, and MP for Kade, Ofosu Asamoah asked his views on the Convicted Persons Bill, which is currently before parliament.

The James Town prison, which has a capacity for 200 prisoners, now accommodates over 700 inmates, whilst the facility at Anomabu has been closed down.

Mr. Ghartey said in as much as he appreciates the problems with the country's prisons, he thinks that the fate of the Bill, which will enable Ghanaians convicted outside to serve their prison terms here, should be decided by parliament.

On the 28th February courts, which collapsed recently, the A-G designate said plans are far advanced for a benefitting edifice, to house the courts.

Answering questions on the deal to trade-off the controversial Gulf Stream III presidential jet, Mr. Joe Ghartey said the fact that the Chinese company already has possession even though the transaction has not been concluded does not mean they have ownership.

Government has traded off the Gulf Stream III presidential jet for fighter jets and a flight simulator.