By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave
The Majority Leader, Hon. Mahama Ayariga has responded to questions about the brief vetting of the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, which lasted only six minutes saying that, the minority leader, Afenyo Markin has compromised standards by agreeing to be lobbied and must be held accountable.
According to Ayariga, he was not present during the vetting process, having ceased to be a member of the Appointments Committee after his nomination as Majority Leader so he didn’t know that had happened.
The Majority Leader criticized Afenyo Markin for claiming on television that he was begged by the Minister and her people not to put her under tight scrutiny. Ayariga argued that as a Minority Leader, one has an obligation to do their work well and so if the minority leader would sit on television and say he was begged not to do his work and so he didn’t do it, then he should be held accountable for his actions.
He also emphasized that lobbying is a legitimate practice in politics and that politicians lobby as well so if someone chooses to come to Afenyo Markin and he agrees to be lobbied , then it is his decision to do so.
‘’There are people who good leaders but not good communicators and vetting tests their communication skills so our colleagues who are hardworking but media shy so cannot argue on the floor normally ask not to be put under tight scrutiny,’’ Ayariga said.
Meanwhile, Bernard Ahiafor, Chairman of the Appointments Committee, attributed the brief vetting to the presence of chiefs and three former Greater Accra Regional Ministers, Henry Quartey, Titus Glover, and Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo. Ahiafor believed that their presence influenced the committee members’ decision not to ask questions.
