The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has strongly criticized President John Mahama’s initial ministerial appointments, describing the approach as inadequate and reflective of unpreparedness.
During parliamentary proceedings, Afenyo-Markin expressed frustration at the announcement of only three ministerial nominees, which he termed a “tots, tots” appointment.
In his remarks, Afenyo-Markin pointed out that the Speaker of Parliament had only announced the nominations for the Finance Minister, the Energy Minister, and the Attorney General and Minister of Justice. He expressed disappointment, stating that a government that had campaigned on promises of a “24-hour economy” should have been more prepared.
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“This government told us they were ready for governance. They promised a 24-hour economy. Mr. Speaker, we expected them to be ready from day one, not to start with this ‘tots, tots, tots’ approach,” he said, clearly frustrated.
The Minority Leader went on to call for more swift nominations for critical sectors such as Agriculture, Roads and Highways, and Lands and Natural Resources. He specifically mentioned figures like Armah Kofi Bua and Eric Opoku, whom he hoped would be included in the appointments.
“You cannot start with just energy, finance, and the attorney general. We want to hear more names, and we need ministers for critical sectors to address the pressing issues facing the nation,” Afenyo-Markin emphasized.
The remarks sparked a heated exchange in Parliament, with some Majority members, including Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, questioning the timing and appropriateness of the Minority Leader’s concerns during a session focused on corrections to votes and proceedings.
Nevertheless, Afenyo-Markin stood firm, defending his position. “Mr. Speaker, I took your leave to make this point because it is a matter of national importance. The government must act decisively and show Ghanaians they are ready to lead,” he stated.
According to Afenyo-Markin, the delayed release of a comprehensive ministerial list marked a sluggish start for the new administration.