The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has reaffirmed its position on the need for President Akufo-Addo to downsize his government in the wake of parliament’s approval of new ministerial nominees.
The NDC had earlier asked all its MPs not to support the approval of the nominees.
The position was to pressure President Akufo-Addo to drastically reduce the size of his government and should therefore not be appointing new ministers to fill vacant positions but rather merge ministries.
But some of the members of the minority Caucus turned back on their previous stands to pass all nominees.
The NDC has 136 seats but 135 eligible votes because of the court case with Assin North.
The NPP has 137 but two of their members were absent.
In total there were 275 eligible voters, with three absentees, so in all 272 MP cast their ballot.
Mr Hammond went through with 154 votes in his favour, with 116 voting against his nomination for appointment, and one each rejected ballot and an absentee.
Mr Amoah polled 149 ‘Yes’ votes, 120 ‘No’ votes and three absentees, while Dr Amoah secured 146 votes in his favour, 123 ‘No’ votes and three abstentions.
The rest are Dr Amin Adam, who secured 152 approval votes, 117 ‘No’ votes, one rejected ballot and two abstentions, Mr Asamoah Boateng secured 147 votes in his favour, 122 against his appointment, leaving three abstentions, while Dr Acheampong went through with 167 votes in his favour, 98 against, four rejected ballots and three abstentions.
Prior to the voting process, the Majority’s 137 membership was reduced by two, with MP for Dome Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, and the MP for Kumawu, Philip Barsoa, being absent.
Ms Safo has been a longtime absentee for unexplained reasons, while Barsoa was suddenly taken ill.
One other person from the Majority side, Ebenezer Kojo Kum, who is the MP for Ahanta West, in spite of being under the weather, was forced to come to the House to make up the numbers for the battle to see the President’s nominations through.
He was served his ballot paper per the directive of the Speaker to enable him to vote.
NDC members
This is indicative that some of the NDC MPs voted to approve the ministerial nominees against what the party had advocated.
Reacting to the development, the NDC has in a statement signed by the General Secretary of the party Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey on Satuarday March 26, 2023, affirmed its position on the need for the government to cut down its ministers.
Source: Graphiconline
