Former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has accused the Appointment Committee of Parliament of breaching the House’s Standing Orders during the vetting of President John Mahama’s ministerial nominees.

Specifically, he pointed out that the necessary conditions for the vetting had not been met, rendering the process flawed ¹.

According to Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Standing Orders under Order 217 specify the composition of the Appointment Committee, which should include the chairperson, ranking member, and two other members from relevant subject matter standing or select committees. However, he noted that the Finance Committee, Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee, and Energy Committee had not been formed, which is a breach of the Standing Orders ¹.

The Appointment Committee, chaired by Hon. Bernard Ahiafor, is responsible for vetting nominees for ministerial, ambassadorial, and other key positions. The committee has been tasked with ensuring a rigorous but fair vetting process for President Mahama’s nominees ¹.

The ministerial nominees in question include Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, John Jinapor, and Dr. Dominic Ayine, who were nominated for the Ministries of Finance, Energy, and Attorney General and Minister of Justice, respectively ². The vetting process began on Monday, January 13, 2025, despite Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu’s concerns ³.

It remains to be seen how Parliament will respond to Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu’s criticisms and whether the vetting process will be re-examined.