Member of Parliament of Juaboso, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
The Member of Parliament of Juaboso, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has stated that he was very disappointed when his vetting was rescheduled from Thursday, January 30, 2025, to Friday, January 31, 2025.
Recounting his frustration before the ad hoc committee investigating the ministerial vetting chaos, on February 7, 2025, Akandoh stated that he was unaware of the change until he requested the timetable on the morning of Thursday, January 30.
“I called the clerk to the committee, Madame Gifty, to send me the program and timetable. When she did, I noticed my name had been moved from the 30th to the 31st. I immediately called her back, thinking it was a mistake, but she told me it was a reviewed timetable and confirmed the change,” he said.
The MP indicated that he had not been given prior notice, and that his supporters had already traveled to Accra in anticipation of the vetting.
“I was completely in the dark about the change. My people had already arrived in Accra, and I had made all necessary preparations. I immediately contacted the leadership of the committee to express my concerns,” he stated.
Despite the confusion, Akandoh said he was told to remain prepared as there were no clear instructions indicating otherwise.
As with all other nominees, he was kept in a holding room, expecting to be vetted soon, only to realise that the Minister of Transport-designate was called before him.
“I was waiting, thinking I was next, but then I saw the transport minister-designate take his seat. Shortly after, the chairman of the committee instructed that the oath be administered. That’s when some Minority members raised objections, and everything escalated,” he recounted.
During the recent vetting of the Minister of Health-designate, and Minister of Foreign Affairs-designate, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minority Caucus accused the Majority Caucus of violating an agreement to vet only four nominees for the day, leading to heated exchanges.
Tensions quickly escalated into physical confrontations, resulting in the destruction of microphones and furniture, and the overturning of one of the vetting tables.
In response to the chaos, the Speaker, Alban Bagbin suspended four Members of Parliament, namely Frank Annoh-Dompreh (NPP), Nsawam-Adoagyiri); Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor (NDC, South Dayi); Alhassan Tampuli (NPP, Gushegu); and Jerry Ahmed Shaib (NPP, Weija-Gbawe).
A seven-member parliamentary committee, chaired by Ho West MP, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, has commenced public hearings at Parliament, to investigate the misconduct of the MPs during the vetting session conducted by the Appointments Committee.
Meanwhile the Speaker has lifted the suspension on the four MPs.
JKB/AE
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