The Minority in Parliament has addressed the press by raising concerns regarding recent appointments made by President John Dramani Mahama.
They assert that certain appointments, announced in a release signed by the President’s Spokesperson Felix Kwakye-Ofosu contravene the Presidential Office Act, 1993 (Act 463) and relevant provisions of the Constitution.
The minority caucus described the appointments as inconsistent with established legal requirements, emphasizing the need for the president to adhere strictly to the law.
The Minority accused the president of failing to comply with Section 41 of the Presidential Office Act. This provision requires the president to consult the Council of State before making appointments to the Office of the President and the Vice President. The Minority insists this consultation is mandatory and cannot be bypassed.
They argued that the absence of a functioning Council of State at the time of the appointments rendered the process invalid. They remarked;
“We as a minority believe that the president has acted in breach of this Act or the provisions of Act 463. And we are requesting of the president to kindly withdraw this letter and act in consultation with the Council of State which is not in place. At best, this letter could have been issued with a paragraph to state that these appointments are been made pending the composition of the Council of State, and that they would be regularize in conformity with this Act.”
Minority in Parliament , NPP
The Minority urged the president to withdraw the appointments and ensure compliance with the Act.
The Minority further expressed concerns over the appointment of a Cabinet Secretary, listed as Professor Kwaku Danso-Boafo in the president’s release. They argued that this appointment contravened Article 76(3) of the 1992 Constitution, which specifies the procedures for appointing a Cabinet Secretary.
The Minority stressed that while the president holds the authority to appoint a Cabinet Secretary, such an appointment should be distinct from the general list of presidential staff appointments. They noted;
“We believe the mode of appointment of the Cabinet Secretary was not done in accordance with the Constitution and ought to have been communicated separately from what the President or the communication outfit of the Presidency has done.”
Minority in Parliament, NPP
They emphasized the need for proper adherence to constitutional requirements to ensure transparency and accountability in governance.
Special Envoy to the Alliance of Sahelian States
Another contentious issue raised was the appointment of a Special Envoy to the Alliance of Sahelian States. The Minority questioned the purpose and implications of this appointment, especially considering Ghana’s longstanding foreign policy principles and commitments under the ECOWAS framework.
They highlighted the sensitive geopolitical context of the Sahel region, where countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have withdrawn from ECOWAS. The Minority questioned whether the appointment signified a shift in Ghana’s foreign policy stance. They remarked;
“Ghana, by this release, is changing some aspects of our foreign policy, which has been in existence since Dr. Nkrumah’s days.’’
Minority in Parliament, NPP
According to the minority, they want to understand the foreign policy perspective of the president and the role of this envoy in the face of ECOWAS protocols and other treaties once Ghana has been established as a non-aligned nation.
This call for clarification reflects concerns about potential contradictions in Ghana’s foreign relations strategy.
The Minority reiterated that their concerns were not an attempt to obstruct the president’s governance but rather to ensure that the rule of law is upheld.
Their insistence on compliance with the Presidential Office Act and the Constitution reflects the importance of transparency in public office.
As the debate continues, all eyes will be on the presidency’s response and the potential implications for governance and institutional integrity in Ghana.
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