The first meeting of the first session of the Ninth Parliament has been suspended until Tuesday, January 21, 2025.
This suspension is to allow the Appointments Committee of Parliament to vet new ministerial nominees by President John Dramani Mahama and refer them to the plenary for approval or otherwise.
The suspension period will also be used to organize a four-day orientation workshop for new legislators to familiarize themselves with the rudiments and procedures of the House.
As of Thursday, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, had received and referred three ministerial nominees to the Appointments Committee for consideration.
This followed the release of a letter containing the first batch of ministerial appointments from the Presidency to the Speaker.
The nominees are Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, Majority Leader and MP for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam, as Minister-designate for Finance; John Abdulai Jinapor, Minister-designate for Energy; and Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice-designate.
Justifying the need for the House, which began sitting on January 8, 2025, to adjourn for 12 days, the Majority Chief Whip, Kwame Governs Agbodza, told the House, presided over by the First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, that some names were released the previous day and referred to the Appointments Committee.
“Sometimes the President communicates with the House, and in some circumstances, actions are taken. When Parliament is properly constituted, the Speaker reads out the communication to the House.
“We agreed that it would please the House if, when further communication comes to Mr. Speaker’s attention that requires referral, he can go ahead and make those referrals, and when we return on Tuesday, Mr. Speaker can bring them to the attention of the House,” he said.
Supporting the justification provided by Mr. Agbodza, Minority MP Patrick Yaw Boamah said the House would be expecting a supplementary list from the President regarding his nominations.
“We know that the list has kept many of my colleagues in the Chamber, and I believe when the list is submitted to Mr. Speaker, we will go through the motions. I will indulge Mr. Speaker and the President, and the list will be taken through the Appointments Committee as mentioned.
“So just keep your nerves cool. Once the list is submitted, we will work on it,” he assured.
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