By Ashiadey Dotse
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has defended the decision of the Appointments Committee not to question Linda Obenewaa Ocloo Akweley, the Greater Accra Regional Minister-designate, during her vetting.
The committee has faced criticism for excusing her without any questions, with many arguing that this undermines transparency and accountability.
Ocloo Akweley arrived at the vetting session with chiefs and supporters from both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), including former Interior Minister Henry Quartey and former Greater Accra Regional Minister Titus Glover. After introducing herself, she was allowed to leave without answering any questions.
In an interview on The Point of View on Channel One TV, Afenyo-Markin explained that the committee members already know the strengths and weaknesses of the nominees.
“Well, it’s part of it. When you ask too many questions, you are in trouble. When you don’t ask at all, you are in trouble,” he said.
He dismissed suggestions that time constraints influenced the decision, stating, “It wasn’t a matter of time, no, no.”
When asked if the nominee’s exemption was because she came with chiefs and bipartisan supporters, Afenyo-Markin replied, “But those placed at the lowest ebb of fortune are equally entitled to our regard, aren’t they?”
He did not confirm whether Ocloo Akweley would be recalled for questioning but noted that her nomination had already been debated and approved in Parliament.
Afenyo-Markin also pointed out that this is not the first time a nominee has been excused from questioning, citing the late veteran politician Joseph Henry Mensah as an example.
Acknowledging the public outcry, he said, “That’s one of our failures, isn’t it? You may disagree with us, and that’s your right.”
