National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament (MP) said they would not sanction the approval of Gender Minister-designate, Otiko Afisa Djaba by the House.
Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu said the approval of the appointee who failed to enrol in the National Service Scheme (NSS) would amount to an illegality.
He argued before his colleagues Tuesday that Article 94 (2) of the 1992 Constitution is clear on the eligibility of anyone aspiring to be a minister.
The Article states that;
A person shall not be qualified to be a Member of Parliament [and by extension minister] if he –
(a) Is otherwise disqualified by a law in force at the time of the coming into force of this Constitution, not being inconsistent with a provision of this Constitution.
Taking inspiration from the law, the former Employment Minister said the NDC MPs would favour the withdrawal of the minister’s nomination.
Gender Minister-designate, Otiko Afisa Djaba
“We will not be associated with this illegality,” Mr Iddrisu said forcefully drawing disapproving nods from governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs.
The approval of Madam Djaba after what has been described as a torturous vetting process has divided Parliament’s Appointments Committee. Whereas the NPP MPs on the Committee support her approval, the NDC MPs have promised to torpedo the process.
Mr Iddrisu and his colleagues have said the failure of the former NPP Women Organiser to do her national service makes her unfit to occupy the position.
However, some social commentators believe the opposition by the minority MPs is due to some comments Madam Djaba made about former President John Mahama.
Ahead of the December 7, 2016 general elections, the Minister-designate had described the former Ghanaian leader as a man with a devil’s heart and a “wicked” person.
When asked by an NDC MP on the vetting Committee if she would like to retract her comments, she said she would not, saying she has the right to criticise the leaders of the country.
Although the minority has not made any reference to Madam Djaba’s comments against former President Mahama, Mr Iddrisu said they support any action that respects provisions of the Constitution and other laws.
Majority leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu on his part said the argument by the minority defeats same action undertaken by former President Mahama’s government in respect of the appointment of a Deputy Local Government Minister, Oti Bless.
“For the record in the case of Oti Bless they [NDC MPs] procured a waiver for him,” he said, adding the NPP would do same for Madam Djaba.
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