Parliament has today, Friday, March 24, 2023, voted to approve all six ministerial nominees made by President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
With James Gyakye Quayson, Minority MP for Assin North who has been banned to partake in parliamentary proceedings pending a case in court over his dual nationality absent, the Minority were short by a number.
Two other MPs from the Majority caucus were also absent, who are; Sarah Adwoa Safo of Dome Kwabenya and Philip Basoa of Kumawu whom the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, said was on his way coming but couldn’t arrive on time.
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This left the members 136 apiece for both caucuses.
As per the directives given by both parties to their Whips, if all the MPs had voted according to their party lines, there would have been a tie to call for reelection.
The last time such incident occurred, some Minority MPs joined the Majority caucus to approve Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Mavis Hawa Koomson and others.
Meanwhile, today’s exercise was a ‘one touch’ victory for all the nominees as each obtained at least, 25 more Yes votes against the Nos to sail through.
Announcing the verdict, Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin said that:
“Honourable Members, at long last collation of votes has ended.The register has 275 eligible voters, 3 voters were absent so 272 did exercise their franchise. The results of the voting are as follows; Honorable KT Hammond 154 Yes, 116 Nos, rejected 1, Bryan Acheampong, 167 Yes, 98 Nos, rejected 4, abstention 3. Stepehn Asamoah Boateng 147 Yes, 122 Nos, 3 abstentions. Mohammed Amin Adams 152 Yes, 117 Nos, rejected 1, abstentions 2. Osei Bonsu Amoah 149 Yes, 120 Nos, abstentions 3, Stepehen Amoah 146 yes, 123 nos, 3 absentions.”
“The House has accordingly approved the nominations of the following persons as ministers and a deputy minister in accordance with 79(1) of the constitution,” he indicated.
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By Felix Anim-Appau|Onuaonline.com|Ghana
