The 1st Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Chairman of the Appointments Committee Hon. Bernard Ahiafor has addressed concerns surrounding the fast-paced vetting of ministerial nominees by the committee.
His comments provided clarity on the process, the committee’s approach to scrutiny, and the public’s role in voicing concerns.
When questioned about the perceived rush in the vetting process, Hon. Ahiafor clarified that while the committee was working within a tight timeline, it was not an indication of panic or inadequate preparation. On the grounds of his new appointment he stated;
“No, I wasn’t nervous, I’ve been in the house for some time, and unless I am at a committee meeting, I will spend the time in parliament. I’ve been watching the way various speakers have been presiding, following with keen interests. So, it wasn’t a difficult thing for me at all, and I started without panicking.”
Hon. Bernard Ahiafor the 1st Deputy Speaker of Parliament
His experience in Parliament, Hon. Ahiafor explained, allowed him to confidently navigate the role. On the ministerial appointments, he added;
“For a stated reason, His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama intends to bring out the list of his ministers within 14 days.”
So, as a committee, as Parliament, we should not be seen to be delaying the constitution of the government by way of causing delay, vetting, and approving or disapproving the ministers’ designees.”
Hon. Bernard Ahiafor the 1st Deputy Speaker of Parliament
This sense of urgency, he noted, was not an attempt to bypass any procedure but to ensure that the government’s operations were not held up.
When pressed on whether the committee was sidestepping procedures, particularly the requirement for security reports on nominees, Hon. Ahiafor assured the public that all necessary security reports had been received.
“Yes, we have received the NIB security report on all the 3 nominees,” he confirmed, addressing concerns about whether the vetting process was being conducted with the necessary scrutiny.
Public Involvement and the Vetting Process
Despite the urgency, Hon. Ahiafor acknowledged the importance of public input. “The public is supposed to give [input] to us effective from the date of the publication,” he explained, referring to the official announcement of the nominees. He added;
“The information has been in the public domain for some time now. I believe the public will not be waiting, if they have something against their nominations to the respective ministries. They would be in readiness, as soon as the publication is out, they will begin bringing their concerns.”
Hon. Bernard Ahiafor the 1st Deputy Speaker of Parliament
However, Hon. Ahiafor expressed confidence in the suitability of the nominees, stating that given their previous experience, there was little reason to expect significant objections.
He highlighted the extensive backgrounds of the three nominees, who had previously served in their respective ministries before their nominations.
“Honorable Ato Forson was a deputy minister for finance in the 6th parliament during the former administration of His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama. The same applies to Dominic Kuritinga Ayine, a deputy attorney general and minister of justice, and Honorable John Abulai Jinapo, who was also a deputy minister for energy.”
Hon. Bernard Ahiafor the 1st Deputy Speaker of Parliament
Addressing the structure of the committee, which has a clear majority from his party, Hon. Ahiafor assured;
“I can assure you that I am not going to gag any member of the committee. They all have their fair share of the number of questions that the committee agreed each member is supposed to ask.”
Hon. Bernard Ahiafor the 1st Deputy Speaker of Parliament
The chairman emphasized that committee members could ask follow-up questions as necessary, asserting that the process would be fair and thorough.
In response to concerns about the committee’s ability to conduct rigorous scrutiny with a majority from his party, Hon. Ahiafor expressed;
“I have so much confidence that the members of my committee will be able to do a very good job to the admiration of the public. What do we have to shield?”
Hon. Bernard Ahiafor the 1st Deputy Speaker of Parliament
“We’ll treat all people the same,” he affirmed, responding to concerns about potential bias. Despite the increased number of nominees—57 more were anticipated after the current batch of three nominees.
He expressed confidence that all committee members would be able to handle the increased workload. He added;
‘We would proceed with speed, but the speed I can assure the general public that it would be a normal speed. But we would not cause unnecessary delay. There wouldn’t be any unnecessary delay on the part of the committee.’’
Hon. Bernard Ahiafor the 1st Deputy Speaker of Parliament
Hon. Bernard Ahiafor’s remarks provided much-needed clarity on the process, rationale, and approach to the vetting of ministerial nominees by the Appointments Committee and the urgency with which these nominees has to assume office to keep government business running.
His commitment to transparency, public participation, and thorough vetting underscores the committee’s intention to ensure that only the most qualified individuals are appointed to the nation’s highest offices.
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