The minority caucus in Parliament that voted to confirm six new ministers picked by President Akufo-Addo has angered the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
According to a direction from the party leadership, the Minority caucus in Parliament had earlier said that it would not approve the ministers. Nevertheless, on Friday, March 24, 2023, all of the nominations had been approved after a secret vote.
At the party level, the NDC had decided not to endorse the nominees, citing the nation's economic difficulties as justification.
The NDC believes that the President should integrate ministries rather than appointing new ministers to fill vacancies in order to limit the number of his appointees.
Due to the legal dispute with Assin North, the NDC only has 135 seats where 135 people are qualified to vote.
Two of the 137 members of the NPP were not present.
With three absentee votes and 275 total eligible voters, 272 MP cast their vote.
With 154 votes in his favour, 116 votes against his candidature for appointment, one rejected ballot, and one absentee vote, Mr. Hammond was confirmed.
Dr. Amoah received 146 yes votes, 123 no votes, and 3 abstentions, while Mr. Amoah received 149 yes votes, 120 no votes, and 3 absentee votes.
The remaining candidates are Mr. Asamoah Boateng, who received 147 votes, Dr. Amin Adam, who received 152 yes votes, 117 no votes, one ballot that was rejected, and two abstentions. Dr. Acheampong was approved with 167 votes in his favour, 98 votes against him, four ballots that were rejected, and three abstentions, whereas the other candidate received 122 votes against him and 122 votes in favour of the appointment.
With Sarah Adwoa Safo, the MP for Dome Kwabenya, and Philip Barsoa, the MP for Kumawu, both missing, the Majority's 137 members were reduced by two before the vote.
Ms. Safo has been missing for an extended period of time for unknown reasons, while Barsoa became unwell without warning.
Despite being unwell, one more member of the Majority side, MP for Ahanta West Ebenezer Kojo Kum, was compelled to attend the House in order to make up the necessary votes for the fight to confirm the President's nominees.
As instructed by the Speaker, his ballot was delivered to him so he could cast a vote.
Members of NDC
This shows that several NDC Lawmakers voted against the party's position and approved the ministry nominations.
This is what sparked the party's response.
The NDC criticised the MPs' actions, saying that "it not only betrays the expressed will of the party but also the desire of the Ghanaian people and constitutes a massive stab in the back of the good people of Ghana," in a press release signed by its general secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, on Saturday, March 23, 2023.
Nonetheless, the party reiterated its "principled position for President Akufo-Addo to shrink his bloated administration and recalibrate his priorities to reflect the challenging conditions Ghanaians find themselves in."
"The party expresses its gratitude to the minority caucus' leadership and to the legislators who upheld their commitment to the party's and Ghanaians' expectations. When the time comes, we will do all in our power to publicly recognise them. We shall not forget their patriotism and dedication "That was ad.
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