Specialized committee to vet Minister designates – Speaker reveals

Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Aaron Oquaye has disclosed that the House is considering a revised system where specialised committees will vet ministers appointed by the president.

Under the current system, the Appointments Committee of parliament vets all ministerial nominees.

Should the proposed new system come into force, sector-specific committees with in-depth knowledge will vet ministers-designate whose portfolio fall within the expertise of members of a particular committee.

For instance, an Education Minister-designate will be screened by a committee of parliament responsible for education.

This format will apply to all other nominees.

Addressing some selected journalists in Accra, Prof. Oquaye said: “If you look at the U.S. where we learnt the whole thing from, we have departed. When you are coming to become a Foreign Affairs Minister, then the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament will vet you”.

He said this will make it possible for specialised and knowledgeable people who have careers in the particular sectors, to handle the screening of the appointees.