Politics

Ministerial Appointments: You Are In No Position To Dictate To The President – Ayariga Snubs Afenyo-Markin

On Monday, January 13, 2025, a furious argument broke out between Minority Leader Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin and Mahama Ayariga, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bawku Central, during the vetting session for the Minister of Finance-designate, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.

According to Afenyo-Markin, President John Dramani Mahama did not follow the correct procedures as outlined in the standing orders of Parliament when he first nominated ministers. He asserted that, in accordance with Standing Order 65(1), the President ought to have personally signed the letter addressed to Speaker Alban Bagbin concerning the President’s cabinet candidates.

“Before we delve into examining the individuals and their qualifications, I must raise some concerns from the Minority caucus regarding how Parliament was notified of the nominees. There has been a procedural error that undermines the integrity of this process. As you may recall, it was the Secretary to the President who allegedly had the authority from the President to sign the notification letter to us,” Afenyo-Markin stated.

He cited parliamentary standing orders, which dictate that in the absence of President Mahama, any communication sent to the House must bear the signature of the Vice President or a minister authorized by the president.

Read Also: President Mahama Dissolves Statutory Boards, Warns Appointees

In response, Mahama Ayariga told Afenyo-Markin that he was not in a position to dictate how President John Dramani Mahama should appoint his ministers. Ayariga added that while the Minority Leader was entitled to his opinion, he was expressing it in the wrong forum.

“For the Minority Leader to use this platform as a press conference to copiously try to denigrate the presidency and to sort of try to direct the presidency as to what to do, I think is not the best. For instance, you cannot be directing the president as to how and when he makes his nominations for ministerial appointments,” Ayariga stated.

“The president did say that cabinet will be formed within a short period upon coming into office. But you have decided that it should have been from the date of the declaration of results. I mean, that is not the promise that was made by the president. You can have your opinion on the matter, but please, you can express it outside at the press conference.”

Ayariga also pointed out that the rules of the House are not always infallible, referencing recent Supreme Court judgments that had nullified some of these rules. Afenyo-Markin, however, refuted the claim that he was attempting to undermine the presidency, adding that he had every right to make the comments he made.

You Are In No position To Dictate How President Should Appoint His Ministers – Ayariga Snubs Minority Leader

 

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