KEY POINTS
- Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin criticized President Mahama’s cabinet delays, calling the process fragmented and ineffective during a heated parliamentary address.
- Accusations of protocol breaches emerged as nominees were allegedly leaked to the media before a formal presentation to Parliament.
- Urgency mounts as Ghana faces governance delays, with key portfolios like Agriculture and Education yet to see ministerial appointments.
Ghana’s political atmosphere grew tense on Tuesday as Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin sharply criticized President John Mahama’s approach to his cabinet appointments, describing them as fragmented and inefficient.
In a heated address to Parliament, Afenyo-Markin accused the president’s government of being unprepared to fulfill its promises and warned that the cabinet formation process was undermining effective governance.
Mahama faces criticism over appointments
The criticism followed Mahama’s announcement of the first three Ministers-Designate: Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson for Finance, John Jinapor for Energy, and Dominic Ayine for Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
These were the initial appointments under Mahama’s second administration, but the delay in naming key positions raised concerns across the political spectrum.
Minority accuses Mahama of governance delays, breach of protocol
As reported by JoyOnline, Afenyo-Markin’s criticism extended to allegations of protocol violations, claiming the government had leaked the list of nominees to the media before formally presenting it to Parliament.
Such breaches, he argued, disrespected parliamentary processes and risked straining executive-legislative relations. “This lack of coordination reflects poorly on the government’s readiness to govern,” he added.
The Minority further called out delays in appointing ministers for crucial sectors such as Agriculture, Education, Roads and Lands, labeling the situation “unacceptable” given Ghana’s pressing economic and social challenges.
Despite these concerns, Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh expressed Parliament’s readiness to evaluate the nominees but warned of rigorous scrutiny. “This will not be business as usual,” he asserted, emphasizing the need for competence and vision in tackling Ghana’s complex governance issues.
Cabinet delays stir debate as urgency mounts for governance action
The delay in Mahama’s cabinet appointments has sparked intense debate across political lines. Despite the president’s decision to limit his cabinet to 60 ministers—a move viewed with cautious optimism by some—the slow pace of filling critical portfolios remains a point of contention. Annoh-Dompreh underscored the need for swift action, citing the country’s urgent economic challenges and the need for strong governance leadership.
In response to the growing criticisms, Majority Leader Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah called for constructive dialogue and understanding, acknowledging the frustrations of the opposition but emphasizing the importance of cooperation in ensuring effective governance.
He reminded the Minority of their role in ensuring a productive and functional Parliament, calling for an end to partisanship in favor of nation-building.
As Parliament prepares for the upcoming vetting process, the political climate in Accra signals heightened scrutiny for Mahama’s cabinet picks.
With mounting pressure on the administration to act swiftly, the next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether the president’s government can consolidate its leadership and tackle the nation’s pressing challenges.
