Appointment of B/A Dep Minister: Minority accuses Akufo-Addo of illegality

The Minority in Parliament is accusing President Akufo-Addo of committing an illegality in the appointment of Martin Oti Gyarko as Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister.

The group insists the appointment was in breach of the constitution because there was no substantive minister at the time the deputy was appointed.

The substantive minister Asuma Kyeremeh was moved by the president to the Lands and Natural Ministry.

His deputy Evans Poku Bobie was announced as the substantive minister with Martin Oti Gyarko called to assume the position of deputy Brong Ahafo Minister.

On a day when the Deputy Brong Ahafo minister nominee was due for vetting the Minority raised the issue of alleged illegality and called the attention of the Chairman of the Committee Joseph Osei Owusu to provide direction.

Quoting Article 256 of the Constitution, the Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu said the president ought to have consulted a substantive minister before appointee a deputy but this did not happen.

He argued the then deputy minister Poku Bobie who has been elevated to the position of a minister has not yet been vetted or approved by Parliament and could not have advised the president on the appointment of a deputy.

Haruna Iddrisu therefore asked the president to follow proper procedure in the appointment of the Deputy.

“…The president swears an oath to uphold the constitution and uphold the laws of Ghana. I do not think under the circumstance the president has respected the letter and spirit of the constitution,” he said.

He said if the president could prove to the appointment committee when and with whom the consultation was done then the Minority will agree to the vetting process.

Haruna Iddrisu therefore asked the president to follow proper procedure in the appointment of the Deputy.

“…The president swears an oath to uphold the constitution and uphold the laws of Ghana. I do not think under the circumstance the president has respected the letter and spirit of the constitution,” he said.

He said if the president could prove to the appointment committee when and with whom the consultation was done then the Minority will agree to the vetting process.

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