Minority Leader and Ranking Member of Parliament’s Appointments Committee, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has revealed that government officials urged the Minority to refrain from questioning Greater Accra Regional Minister nominee, Linda Akweley Ocloo, during her vetting on January 28, 2025.
Ocloo’s vetting lasted under 10 minutes with no scrutiny from the committee, sparking discussions about the unusual leniency in the process.
In an interview with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation on February 3, Afenyo-Markin explained that the Minority’s silence was in response to a direct appeal from government representatives.
He stated that the officials highlighted Ocloo’s personal circumstances, emphasizing that she is a widow who might struggle under intense questioning.
“They pleaded that she wouldn’t be able to endure the scrutiny, so we let her go. She meets the requirements under Article 78, so we did not object,” he said.
Article 78 of the 1992 Constitution mandates that ministerial nominees must either be Members of Parliament or eligible for election as MPs. Since Ocloo met these criteria, the Minority decided against challenging her appointment.