Former President John Dramani Mahama has expressed his disappointment with some National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament (MPs) who voted to approve some ministerial and judicial appointees of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. In a Facebook post shared on Saturday, March 25, 2023, Mahama described the move by the NDC MPs as a betrayal of the party’s position.
A few weeks ago, the NDC group in Parliament took a principled stand not to approve any new ministers until the President reduced the size of his government significantly. Mahama explained that the position was supported by a broad section of Ghanaians and public advocacy groups. However, he expressed his disappointment that several members of the minority group voted against the party’s position for “some parochial and personal interest.”
Mahama emphasized that those responsible for the betrayal should do some serious soul-searching and prioritize national interest over personal interests. He also noted that the NDC MPs who voted for the approval were out of touch with the hardship in the country and the demand by several Ghanaians for the President to reduce the size of his government.
Mahama concluded by stating that President Akufo-Addo, his NPP administration, and some of the NDC MPs were out of tune with the mood of the Ghanaian people, especially during this time of crisis and excruciating hardships.
On Friday, March 24, Parliament approved all six ministerial nominees, including the nominees for the Supreme Court of President Akufo-Addo. The voting process was tense, with all nominees getting more votes than the minimum of 138 votes required, as there were three absentees out of the 275 eligible voters. The approved nominees include Kobina Tahiru Hammond as the Minister of Trade and Industry, Bryan Acheampong as the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Stephen Asamoah Boateng as the Ministry of Chieftaincy, Mohammed Amin Adam as the Minister of State (Ministry of Finance), Osei Bonsu Amoah as the Ministry of Local Government, and Stephen Amoah as the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry. The Supreme Court nominees who were approved include George Kingsley Koomson, Justice of the Court of Appeal, and Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu, Justice of the High Court.
Click on the link below to see the former President’s post on Facebook