President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo submitted six cabinet nominations to the House for confirmation on February 9, 2023, and the House approved them yesterday.
Although turbulent moments began last Thursday and continued throughout the night, the Majority caucus struggled through a secret vote in almost split choices.
Nominees
The candidates are Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Minister Designate for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs; Dr. Bryan Acheampong, Minister Designate for Food and Agriculture; and K. T. Hammond, Minister Designate for Commerce and Industry.
The remaining individuals are Dr. Stephen Amoah, the Deputy Minister designate for Trade and Industry, Osei Bonsu Amoah, the Minister of State designate for the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization, and Rural Development, and Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, the Minister of State designate for the Ministry of Finance.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, announced the results of the secret balloting and noted that there were 275 eligible voters and three absentee ballots, for a total of 272 MP who cast their vote.
Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry Stephen Amoah and Minister of State for Local Government O.B. Amoah
Results
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, Dr. Amin Adam, who received 152 yes votes, 117 no votes, one ballot that was rejected, and two abstentions.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, announced the results of the secret balloting and noted that there were 275 eligible voters and three absentee ballots, for a total of 272 MP who cast their vote.
Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry Stephen Amoah and Minister of State for Local Government O.B. Amoah
Results
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, Dr. Amin Adam, who received 152 yes votes, 117 no votes, one ballot that was rejected, and two abstentions.
As instructed by the Speaker, his ballot was delivered to him so he could cast a vote.
Commotion
There was a lot of teasing and interruptions on the House floor from both sides before voting could begin.
Alexander Afenyo Markin, the deputy majority leader, argued before the House that since the Minority had 136 members and the Majority had 137, there was no need for a vote since, if each party cast a single vote, the numbers would remain the same in their respective caucuses.
But the whip for the minority party, Kwame Governs Agbodza, insisted they go through the elections and rejected that application.
The misunderstanding that followed caused the Speaker to call a conclave meeting with the in charge on both sides.
There was additional ruckus between the two sides over the usage of two vote boxes because it may violate the objective of a secret ballot, minutes before the Speaker could call the House back together.
When the Speaker's reply was finalised, polling representatives for each side were presented, and after the Speaker had reviewed the procedures, voting began.
The hours of voting and results declaration were tense since neither could really control its outcome.
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority Leader, held a news conference while waiting for the Speaker to call the House back together, insisting his side was prepared to receive the votes "now and today."
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