The Appointments Committee of Parliament is set to commence the vetting of five nominees submitted by President John Dramani Mahama for appointment to key ministerial and judicial positions.
The exercise, which begins today [Thursday, August 27], is expected to provide members of the committee with an opportunity to scrutinise the nominees’ qualifications, professional experience, competence and suitability for the respective positions for which they have been nominated.
The five nominees comprise two ministerial nominees and three nominees for appointment as Justices of the Supreme Court.
Among those scheduled to appear before the committee is the Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, who has been nominated as Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
Also appearing before the committee is Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey, who has been nominated as Minister-designate for Environment, Science and Technology.
The two ministerial nominees are expected to face questions on their professional backgrounds, policy priorities, experience and vision for the ministries they have been nominated to lead.
Their vetting will also give the committee the opportunity to assess their understanding of the challenges confronting the respective sectors and how they intend to support the government’s broader policy agenda if approved by Parliament.
The three other nominees are Justice Sophia Bernasko-Essah, a Justice of the Court of Appeal; Justice Edward Amoako Asante, also a Justice of the Court of Appeal and former President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice; and Anthony Forson Jnr, a private legal practitioner and former President of the Ghana Bar Association.
The three judicial nominees are being considered for elevation to the Supreme Court.
Their appearance before the committee is expected to focus on their judicial experience, knowledge of the law, professional record, understanding of constitutional principles and their suitability to serve on the apex court.
The vetting forms an important part of Parliament’s constitutional responsibility in the consideration of presidential nominations.
Under Ghana’s constitutional arrangements, certain presidential appointments require parliamentary approval before nominees can assume office.
The Appointments Committee plays a central role in examining nominees and making recommendations to the House after the vetting process.
Source:Fiilafmonline/CitiNews
