His Excellency, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has appointed Herbert Krapa as Minister of State at the Ministry of Energy.
Currently serving as Deputy Energy Minister and Chairman of the Electricity Company of Ghana’s Board, Krapa’s nomination has been submitted to Parliament for approval, as announced by Speaker Alban Bagbin.
In a formal letter to Parliament, President Akufo-Addo emphasized the necessity of the appointment, citing the intensified workload at the Energy Ministry.
“I’m writing to seek Parliamentary approval for the appointment of Honourable Herbert Krapa as Minister of State at the Ministry of Energy in accordance with Article 78 of the Constitution”
His Excellency, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
Justification for Herbert Krapah’s Appointment
The letter addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Honorable Alban Kingsford Suman Bagbin noted that even though historically, the Energy Ministry has been overseen by a substantive minister supported by three deputy ministers, the current demands have rendered this structure insufficient, prompting the need for an additional high-ranking official.
President Akufo-Addo emphasized that in view of the exceptionally heavy workload now attendant at the Ministry, it has become necessary to appoint a Minister of State at the Ministry in the person of Honourable Herbert Krapa, who is currently a deputy minister and Board Chairman of the Electricity Company of Ghana.
The proposed appointment has sparked varied reactions across the political and social spectrum, with supporters of the ruling party lauding the move as a necessary step to bolster the Ministry’s capacity to handle pressing issues, including energy distribution, infrastructure development, and policy implementation.
Critics, have however questioned whether the appointment will effectively address the Ministry’s challenges or merely add another layer of bureaucracy.
Mr Krapa’s nomination will now undergo parliamentary scrutiny, where lawmakers will vet him and subsequently debate his qualifications to determine his approval or disapproval for his new role.
In an earlier development, the Minority Caucus in Ghana’s Parliament announced its decision to boycott the vetting process for the President’s nominee for the position of Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry.
The Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Ajumako Enyan Essiam Constituency, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, in a statement, attributed the caucus decision to what it describes as the already oversized administration of President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
The Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson also cited the government’s dismal economic performance as the key reason for the Minority Caucus in Parliament’s decision to boycott the vetting of the Deputy Minister-designate for Trade and Industry, Honorable Kofi Ahenkorah Marfo.
The Minority Leader further emphasized that the current economic climate, characterized by businesses relocating due to high taxes and the populace enduring severe financial stress, warrants a reduction in government size rather than expansion.
He expressed disappointment over President Akufo-Addo’s inability to downsize the large size of his government, underscoring the ramifications and the high cost of having a large size of government.
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