Parliament’s Appointments Committee is set to begin vetting three presidential nominees on Tuesday, August 25, as the House moves to advance the approval process for new ministerial and judicial appointments.
Among those scheduled to appear before the Committee is Mahama Ayariga, who has been nominated as Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
Also expected before the Committee is Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, the nominee for Minister-designate for Environment, Science and Technology, alongside a nominee for appointment to the Supreme Court.
The timetable was announced by the Chairman of Parliament’s Business Committee, Mr Ayariga, during proceedings on Monday, August 24.
He said the Appointments Committee would consider the three nominees on Tuesday before continuing with the vetting of two additional Supreme Court nominees on Wednesday, August 26.
The exercise is expected to provide the Committee with an opportunity to assess the nominees’ qualifications, professional experience, policy positions and suitability for their respective positions.
For Mr Ayariga, the vetting will be closely watched as he seeks parliamentary approval to lead the Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Ministry.
The parliamentary process forms part of efforts to consider a number of presidential nominations submitted for approval.
The Business Committee has also sought a waiver of the Standing Orders requirement concerning the publication of presidential nominations to facilitate the consideration of the nominees.
The waiver is intended to allow the Appointments Committee to proceed with the vetting process without being constrained by the usual publication requirements.
After the vetting sessions, the Appointments Committee is expected to prepare reports on the nominees for presentation to the full House.
Parliament will subsequently consider the reports and determine whether to approve the nominees in accordance with its procedures.
The exercise is expected to pave the way for the nominees to assume their respective positions should they secure parliamentary approval.
