Parliament Suspends Sitting to Vet Ministerial Nominees and Orient New MPs
The first meeting of the first session of Ghana’s Ninth Parliament has been suspended until Tuesday, January 21, 2025. This decision aims to facilitate the vetting of ministerial nominees by the Appointments Committee and provide orientation for new legislators.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has so far referred three ministerial nominees to the Appointments Committee following a letter from the Presidency. These nominees include:
- Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson – Minister-designate for Finance
- John Abdulai Jinapor – Minister-designate for Energy
- Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine – Attorney-General and Minister of Justice-designate
The suspension also allows time for a four-day orientation workshop designed to familiarize newly elected Members of Parliament with the procedures and operations of the House.
Justification for Suspension
Majority Chief Whip Kwame Governs Agbodza explained that the suspension would allow the Appointments Committee to vet the nominees and refer their recommendations to the plenary for approval. He assured members that any additional nominations submitted by the President during the suspension would also be referred to the committee for review.
Patrick Yaw Boamah, a Minority MP, supported the decision, noting that further nominations were anticipated. He reassured the House that the vetting process would proceed efficiently once the supplementary list of nominees is received.
Parliament is expected to reconvene on January 21, 2025, to finalize the vetting and approve or reject the nominees. This break marks a critical step in ensuring a smooth transition and effective functioning of the Ninth Parliament.
