Mussa Dankwah, the Executive Director of Global InfoAnalytics, expressed his astonishment over the unusually brief vetting session of the Greater Accra Regional Minister-Designate, which lasted less than ten minutes.
He noted with surprise that not a single Member of Parliament asked any questions during the session, pointing to the worrying lack of scrutiny.
Dankwah highlighted that this incident serves as a reminder that some things, particularly in the political process, never seem to change.
“We will never get there. Is it just a coincidence that no minority or majority MP asked a question? So they could not ask any question despite the numerous challenges facing the region?
“Since when did powerful delegation accompanying a nominee equate to competence?”
Mussa Dankwah
Meanwhile, the vetting of the Greater Accra Regional Minister-Designate, Linda Akweley Ocloo, which is now recorded as potentially the shortest in the country’s political history, has sparked scrutiny of the Appointment Committee’s effectiveness in thoroughly ensuring that qualified individuals are entrusted with the country’s mandate.
Many citizens have criticized the event for its lack of proper scrutiny.
In response, Dankwah suggested that if the Appointment Committee was failing to carry out its responsibilities effectively, it might be necessary for others to step in and do the job on their behalf.
He then posed a thought-provoking question to the public, asking what questions one would have asked the Greater Accra Regional Minister-Designate if they were a member of the committee.
This statement underlined the growing frustration with the lack of proper scrutiny and accountability in the vetting process, urging a more thorough and responsible approach to the selection of government officials.
Greater Accra Minister Nominee’s Vision and Plans Questioned
Furthermore, Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa, raised several important questions regarding the nomination of the Greater Accra Regional Minister.
He questioned the nominee’s vision for the region, asking how she plans to enhance the city of Accra by making it more aesthetically appealing, spatially livable, and a hub for tourism.
Cudjoe also emphasized the need for concrete plans that would benefit the indigenous Ga people, urging the nominee to focus on improving their livelihoods and addressing their specific challenges.
He called for a comprehensive strategy that combines urban development with social and economic empowerment for local communities.
“Pity the appointments committee discharged her without asking a single question… Another nominee too came speaking some unidentified affected accent for a portfolio that shouldn’t exist.
“He didn’t even know what he was to do in his position. He just mesmerized himself with his unintelligible accent. Truly special initiative”.
Franklin Cudjoe
Accordingly, Franklin Cudjoe addressed President Mahama, pointing out that the role of Minister of State for Special Initiatives is redundant and should be reconsidered.
He argued that rather than maintaining this position, the individual appointed to the role could be more effectively utilized by being reassigned to deputize for one of the existing ministries.
Cudjoe emphasized that this would not only streamline the government’s structure but also optimize resources, ensuring that leadership is concentrated on areas that require more focused attention and action.
His suggestion highlighted the need for a more practical and efficient approach to governance, particularly in times of economic challenges.
Cudjoe further pointed out that the last time the country had a Ministry for Special Initiatives, there were significant issues with the management of funds.
He noted that this is evidenced by the pricing of projects like dugouts, which were estimated at 250,000 cedis and 1 million dollars per constituency, only to be abandoned or mismanaged.
He highlighted this as a glaring example of the inefficiency and lack of accountability in the handling of special initiatives, underscoring the need for a more transparent and results-driven approach to government projects.
Cudjoe’s comment stressed the importance of careful oversight and proper resource allocation to avoid the repetition of such costly mistakes.
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