Parliament Appointments Committee justifies vetting of Vice President nominee
The Appointments Committee of Parliament on Monday justified the public vetting of the Vice Presidential nominee, Mr Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, and said it was in fulfillment of the 1992 Constitution.
Mr Amissah-Arthur was nominated for the position last Tuesday by President John Dramani Mahama, who ascended to the presidency following the death of President John Evans Atta Mills on July 24.
The Vice Presidential nominee was welcomed to face the Committee by its Chairman, Mr Doe Adjaho, who explained the rationale for the public hearing of the proceedings.
He noted “We accept condemnation but reject criticisms based on falsehood. Claim that the Committee is inconsistent is unacceptable. A claim that Chief Justice Georgina Wood was vetted in-camera is false”.
Mr Adjaho said the only person who was vetted in camera was the former National Security Coordinator, Mr Francis Poku, which was in accordance with best practice.
“The decision to vet Mr Amissah-Arthur in public was taken by both Majority and Minority sides of the Committee….Let us do our best in strengthening the institutions of governance,” he stated.
Mr Adzaho added “if we ask you any questions concerning the economy whose answers might endanger the economy let us know; we will take your answers in-camera”.
Contributing to the discussion, the Minority Leader, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said Parliament especially the Appointment Committee found itself in unprecedented times; “that is why people have condemned our decision.”
“We here seated are convinced that we have chosen the right path”.
He said presidential candidates and their running mates are subjected to public scrutiny during election campaigns “but the current situation offers new perspective hence the need for public hearing.”
“But today, under the circumstances, the people have no opportunity to scrutinize the nominee so it is only proper that the people’s representatives scrutinize the nominee.
“Let me concede that the transition of an incumbent president in Ghana has no ancestry but it is important to set standards that are worth emulating,” Mr Kyei-Mensay-Bonsu said.
Source: GNA