Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, a Democracy and Development Fellow in Public Law and Justice at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), has called for significant reforms to Ghana’s parliamentary vetting process for ministerial nominees.
The renowned activist, who writes under the advocacy tag “Good Governance (GOGO)”, in a detailed statement, argued that delegating the vetting responsibilities to specialised parliamentary committees would improve the process’s quality, efficiency, and accountability.
“For instance, the Committee on Foreign Affairs should handle the vetting of nominees for the position of Minister for Foreign Affairs, while other committees focus on nominees for their respective portfolios.
“This approach ensures that nominees are evaluated by MPs with relevant expertise and knowledge of the specific sector, resulting in more informed and effective scrutiny.”
Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, D&D Fellow in Public Law and Justice at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana)
According to Professor Asare, this approach would offer several advantages, including the benefit of experts evaluating ministerial nominees.
Professor Asare pointed out that since the applicable committee exercises oversight over the minister if they are confirmed, conducting the vetting establishes a foundational relationship between the nominee and the committee.
This process he believes would allow committee members to thoroughly assess the nominee’s qualifications, vision, and understanding of their potential portfolio, creating a basis for future accountability and oversight.
Second, Professor Asare noted that such reforms would promote foundational accountability, asserting that by directly engaging with the nominee during the vetting process, the committee gains insights into their plans, priorities, and potential challenges, enabling more informed and effective oversight once the minister assumes office.
“It also signals to the nominee that their actions will be subject to consistent scrutiny by individuals who are already familiar with their commitments and competencies. This connection fosters a sense of accountability and continuity, ensuring that the minister’s performance aligns with the expectations set during the vetting process”.
Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, D&D Fellow in Public Law and Justice at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana)
Moreover, the renowned academic pointed out that the current system, which tasks a single appointments committee with vetting all nominees, is overburdened and inefficient.
He thus, contended that dividing the vetting process among specialized committees would not only lighten the workload but also enhance the quality of the scrutiny, as MPs on these committees are better positioned to assess the qualifications, track records, and suitability of nominees within their area of expertise.
“Expecting a single appointment committee to vet all ministerial nominees is both impractical and inefficient. The sheer volume of work and diversity of portfolios make it impossible for one committee to give each nominee the detailed attention they deserve.”
Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, D&D Fellow in Public Law and Justice at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana)
Improving the Vetting Process
The Centre for Democratic Development’s Democracy and Development Fellow also addressed challenges within the current vetting process, particularly the constraints placed on MPs during hearings.
He called for reforms, including the freedom to question, asserting that Members of Parliament on the committee should be granted sufficient time and freedom to ask probing questions without undue interference or excessive restrictions.
He opined that in such national exercise, MPs should not be constrained by “unnecessary rules” about what constitutes hearsay or by overbearing restrictions on permissible lines of questioning.
“In hearings of this nature, interjections by ranking members should be minimized, as they often disrupt the flow of the vetting process. Genuine points of order are rare in such proceedings, and unnecessary interruptions only hinder effective dialogue”.
Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, D&D Fellow in Public Law and Justice at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana)
To ensure fairness and efficiency, Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare recommended allocating each MP a set amount of time to question nominees, which they may use at their discretion to explore issues they deem important.
This approach, he noted would encourage MPs to focus on matters of substance and ensure all members have an opportunity to participate meaningfully.
For Professor Asare, the chairperson’s role should be confined to maintaining order, managing time, and enforcing procedural rules, without micromanaging the questioning process.
Enhancing Public Confidence
Professor Asare believes these reforms would not only elevate the quality of ministerial appointments but also strengthen public trust in the parliamentary vetting process.
“Delegating vetting responsibilities to specialized committees and empowering MPs to conduct thorough, unobstructed examinations will make the process more efficient, transparent, and accountable.”
Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, D&D Fellow in Public Law and Justice at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana)
He concluded by urging the House Standing Orders Committee to review these recommendations and consider adopting them as part of broader parliamentary reforms.
If implemented, Professor Asare hopes these changes could mark a significant step forward in improving governance and ensuring that ministerial appointments align with the nation’s developmental goals and democratic principles.
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