Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has justified the Appointments Committee’s decision not to question Linda Obenewaa Ocloo Akweley, the Greater Accra Regional Minister-designate, during her appearance before the committee.
The committee has faced widespread criticism for its approach, with many questioning the rationale behind excusing the nominee without any vetting. Critics argue that bypassing the questioning process undermines transparency and accountability.
Ocloo Akweley arrived at the vetting session accompanied by chiefs and members from both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), including former Interior Minister Henry Quartey and former Greater Accra Regional Minister Titus Glover. After introducing herself, she was excused without facing any questions.
In an interview with Bernard Avle on The Point of View on Channel One TV, Afenyo-Markin defended the committee’s decision, explaining that members are already familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of the ministerial 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 further elaborated, “We know the strength of those who appear before us, and we know their weaknesses. Sometimes, you look at certain situations and you want to balance it.”
When asked whether time constraints played a role in the committee’s decision, Afenyo-Markin dismissed the notion. “It wasn’t a matter of time, no, no,” he stated.
Pressed on 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 did not confirm whether the committee would recall the nominee, stating only that her report had been debated and approved on the floor of Parliament.
Afenyo-Markin also pointed out that nominees are not always required to answer questions, citing the late veteran politician and elder statesman Joseph Henry Mensah as a precedent.
Acknowledging the controversy, he 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.”
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