Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has defended the Appointments Committee’s decision not to subject Linda Obenewaa Ocloo Akweley, the Greater Accra Regional Minister-designate, to questioning during her vetting session.
The decision has sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning the rationale behind excusing the nominee without any scrutiny. Critics argue that bypassing the questioning process undermines transparency and accountability in ministerial appointments.
Ocloo Akweley, who arrived at the vetting session with a delegation that included chiefs and members of both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), was excused after introducing herself without facing any questions.
Speaking in an interview with Bernard Avle on The Point of View on Channel One TV, Afenyo-Markin defended the committee’s approach, arguing that members were already familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of nominees.
“Well, it’s part of it. When you ask too many questions, you are in trouble. When you don’t ask at all, you are in trouble,” he remarked.
He dismissed claims that time constraints influenced the decision, stating, “It wasn’t a matter of time, no, no.” He further justified the move by emphasizing that parliamentary vetting is not always a rigid process.
When asked whether Ocloo Akweley’s exemption from questioning was influenced by her mobilization of chiefs and bipartisan supporters, Afenyo-Markin responded poetically, “But those placed at the lowest ebb of fortune are equally entitled to our regard, aren’t they?”
He also cited historical precedents, noting that some nominees in the past, such as the late veteran politician Joseph Henry Mensah, were not subjected to questioning during their vetting processes.
While acknowledging public criticism, Afenyo-Markin concluded, “That’s one of our failures, isn’t it? It’s one of those things—you would disagree with us, but I would leave that with you. You have every right to disagree with us.”
With her report already debated and approved on the floor of Parliament, it remains unclear whether the committee will recall Linda Ocloo for questioning. However, the controversy surrounding her vetting highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and fairness in the ministerial approval process.