Ghana’s Parliament has approved six of President Mahama’s ministerial nominees following vetting by the Appointments Committee.
The approved ministers include Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson as Minister of Finance, John Abdulai Jinapor as Minister of Energy, and Dr. Dominic Ayine as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice. Others are Kwame Governs Agbodza as Minister of Roads and Highways, Haruna Iddrisu as Minister of Education, and Eric Opoku as Minister of Food and Agriculture.
The unanimous approval by the 11-member committee came after their vetting sessions on January 13 and January 21, 2025.
Presenting the committee’s report, the Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Bernard Ahiafor, commended the nominees for their competence and indicated the committee’s consensus.
“We unanimously recommend these six individuals to the House for approval,” he stated. The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, seconded the motion, praising the nominees’ performance during the vetting process and their distinguished service in Parliament.
Highlighting the capabilities of Dr. Ato Forson, Mr. Afenyo-Markin emphasized his vision for implementing a 24-hour economy to curb youth unemployment.
“If the government adopts this agenda, we will not see desperate youth idling or resorting to violence,” he remarked. He also noted Dr. Forson’s journey from a deputy minister to a respected figure in Parliament, calling his rise “an inspiration to Ghanaian youth.” However, he cautioned the Minority would hold the nominees accountable for their promises.
Turning to Dr. Ayine, Mr. Afenyo-Markin lauded his legal expertise and independence in making critical decisions during his parliamentary career.
“He stood firm despite social media attacks and has proven his worth as a formidable lawyer,” he noted. However, he urged Dr. Ayine to ensure due process and avoid political bias in his role as Attorney-General. “Pursue criminal wrongdoers but resist pressure to target political opponents,” he cautioned.
Despite the approvals, Mr. Afenyo-Markin criticized the lack of regional balance and the underrepresentation of women among the nominees. He urged the President to address these gaps in future appointments, aligning them with the Affirmative Action Law.
