Parliament approves 12 ministers-designate; Minority rejects Ablakwa’s nomination.

Parliament has officially approved the nominations of Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and 10 others as ministers-designate following an extensive debate and voting process.

The approval underscores the legislature’s role in scrutinizing executive appointments before they assume office.

Despite the overall approval of the nominees, the Minority Caucus distanced itself from the endorsement of Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa as Foreign Affairs Minister, and Sam George as Minister Designate for Communication symbolically demonstrating their rejection of his nomination.

During the parliamentary proceedings, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin led the caucus in a symbolic act, requesting water to “wash their hands” off Ablakwa’s approval.

“Give me water, we the minority wash our hands off the approval of Ablakwa, they should carry the sins of Ablakwa. The entire 88 MPs of minority hereby reject the nominee for the Foreign Affairs portfolio and same should reflect in the Hansard.”
The Minority’s rejection of Ablakwa follows previous tensions over his vetting process and concerns regarding his responses during the parliamentary hearings.

While the other ministerial nominees secured broad consensus, the rejection of Ablakwa by the Minority highlights the ongoing political divisions within Parliament.

The Second Deputy Speaker Andrew Asiamah Amoako announced the names of the Ministers approved.

 Kwabena Mintah Akandoh – Minister-Designate for Health
 Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa – Minister-Designate for Foreign Affairs
 Issifu Seidu – Minister-Designate for Climate Change and Sustainability
 Charity Gardiner – Minister-Designate for Ahafo Region
 Salisu Bi-Awuribe – Minister-Designate for Savannah Region
 Wilbert Petty Brentum – Minister-Designate for Western North Region
 Joseph Nelson – Minister-Designate for Western Region
 Joseph Addae Akwaboa – Minister-Designate for Bono Region
 Francis Owusu Antwi – Minister-Designate for Bono East Region
 Felix Kwakye Ofosu – Minister of State-Designate for Government Communications
 Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah – Minister-Designate for Central Region
 Charles Lwanga Puozuing – Minister-Designate for Upper West Region