Political Analyst Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere has strongly condemned the chaos caused by the minority side during the parliamentary ministerial vetting session. He criticized the destruction of property, disruption of proceedings, and the overall conduct of the minority side.
Dr. Asante Otchere expressed his disappointment at the chaotic scenes, stating that such behavior should not be tolerated in a democratic institution.
He emphasized that parliamentary proceedings should be conducted with discipline and decorum, and the actions of the minority side undermined these principles. He condemned;
“I think it is quite embarrassing. It is very appalling that we should witnessed such chaos at a vetting committee level. I think … quite unfortunate that we’ve got to this level … it is because of the magnanimity of the Chairman that all these things have come about. Because I’ve listened to all sides, and I think that the minority so to speak in as much as might have compromised along the way; I think what they have done is very unpardonable. They’ll have to be condemned in no uncertain terms.”
Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere Political Analyst
He further argued that the vetting process is meant to assess the competence of nominees, not to serve as a battleground for political conflicts. He criticized;
“The minister nominee was questioned for two solid hours. Now, what that means is that there is a fixed number of questions to be asked, and follow-ups can be done within that time frame. When the two hours are up, the session should end, whether or not it has reached the turn of the minority leader. That is how it should be so that we will all be more disciplined in the way and manner we ask questions.”
“You cannot grant the minority leader an unlimited number of questions. How can he alone subject one particular minister nominee to more than two hours of torture? What does that mean? In the end, you don’t ask questions that really elicit something philosophical [and] tangible.”
Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere Political Analyst
Dr. Asante Otchere suggested that a structured approach should be enforced in future vetting sessions to avoid unnecessary disruptions. He proposed;
“By tomorrow [Friday], they should have agreed that two or three hours maximum. If you are a minority leader, you have this number of questions to ask. If you want to go beyond that, then it must all be within the three-hour limit.”
Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere Political Analyst
He emphasized that all ministries should be treated equally during vetting. He stated;
“No ministry is more important than the other – the government would have to [be formed], to execute the agenda of the President. And I don’t want to think that the minority is trying to scatter whatever the majority or President intends to have.”
Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere Political Analyst
Consequences of the Chaos and the Need for Restoration
Meanwhile, it has been communicated that the vetting proceedings might no longer take place at the usual appointments committee conference room because the equipment there has been destroyed. This is the result of the chaos caused by the minority side of the committee.
However, Dr. Otchere pointed out that the vetting process is not just for those within the room. It is for all Ghanaians who are watching and listening. Therefore, the committee must restore the vetting room and ensure that proceedings continue in an orderly fashion.
Dr. Asante Otchere noted that the security response to the incident was restrained, with only a few police officers intervening. He emphasized;
“When this unfortunate confusion happened, we did not see the military barging into the vetting committee room. What we saw were about a handful of policemen—unarmed— they came in their capacity to ensure there is that peace and order.”
Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere Political Analyst
He acknowledged the need for security presence but emphasized that discipline among parliamentarians should be the primary solution.
Despite his criticisms, Dr. Asante Otchere acknowledged the essential role of the minority in governance. However, he urged;
“As a nation, we need the minority. If the majority will not ask the tough questions, the minority will have to do so, and they have to do that so all of us would find out the nominees of the President and what they are worth. That for me is very important when it comes to vetting.”
Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere Political Analyst
He warned against using vetting as a tool for personal or political vendettas. He clarified that the vetting should not be about antagonizing nominees just to discredit them. The process must be fair, transparent, and devoid of unnecessary hostilities.
A Blot on Ghana’s Democracy
Dr. Asante Otchere agreed with Majority Leader Hon. Mahama Ayariga, who described the incident as a stain on Ghana’s democracy, and that it is a shame that our parliamentary process, which should be an example of discipline and order, has been reduced to chaos.
Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere’s condemnation of the minority’s actions underscores the need for discipline and decorum in Ghana’s parliamentary proceedings.
He called for stricter time management, restoration of the vetting venue, and a constructive approach to questioning nominees. While recognizing the role of the minority in ensuring accountability, he urged them to do so without disrupting the democratic process.
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