US-based Ghanaian lawyer, Professor Stephen Asare, popularly known as Kwaku Azar, has expressed concerns over the triviality and lack of seriousness in Parliament’s vetting process for ministerial nominees.
According to him, the process has been reduced to “political theater or an exercise in perfunctory approval”.
This comes after Greater Accra Regional Minister-designate, Linda Akweley Ocloo, was asked zero questions when she appeared before the Appointment Committee of Parliament.
Critics argue that she should have been scrutinized on her plans to address pressing issues in the region, including sanitation, land disputes, slums, poverty, and education.
Professor Asare emphasized that the vetting process is not a mere formality, but a vital check to ensure that individuals entrusted with executive authority are competent, ethical, and capable of serving the public interest.
He noted that the process should prioritize national interest over expediency and that Parliament owes the people a process that is diligent, impartial, and focused on competence rather than distractions.
Prof. Asare also highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in the vetting process, stating that it sets a precedent for accountability and reinforces the expectation that public office is a privilege earned through competence and integrity.
Professor Asare stressed that the Appointments Committee must refocus on its core function: scrutinizing nominees rigorously and fairly.
He urged Parliament to adopt structured guidelines, including a fixed number of hours for each nominee, to ensure that all appointees receive a thorough and substantive hearing.
Have a news story, press release, or opinion piece you’d like to share with our audience? We’d love to hear from you! Please reach out to us at editor@metrotvonline.com
