Mahama slams NDC MPs for voting to approve Akufo-Addo’s ministers

Mahama slams NDC MPs for voting to approve Akufo-Addo’s ministers

In a surprising turn of events, former President and National Democratic Congress (NDC) aspiring flagbearer John Dramani Mahama has publicly criticized his party’s Members of Parliament for voting to approve President Nana Akufo-Addo’s ministerial nominees on March 24, 2023. Mahama’s criticism has caused a stir within the NDC and has reignited debates about the party’s commitment to opposition politics.

President Akufo-Addo presented his list of ministerial nominees to parliament for approval after the resignation of both Trade and Agric ministers who are vying for flagbearership positions in NPP.

Among them were K.T. Hammond for Trade and Industry, Stephen Asamoah Boateng for Chieftaincy and Culture, and Bryan Acheampong for Food and Agriculture.

At a time when Ghana was seeking a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) took a firm stance against approving the president’s nominees. The Minority MPs, along with the National Democratic Congress (NDC), believed it was imperative for President Akufo-Addo to decrease the size of his government to reduce its operational costs.

Following the failure to reach a consensus at the Appointments Committee, the nominees’ list was presented to the plenary for a general vote.

To everyone’s surprise, all the nominees passed the vote effortlessly, securing more votes than the combined number of MPs from the Majority.

In expressing his disappointment in the outcome of the MPs vote, Mr. John Mahama took to his Facebook wall to express his gross disappointment in his party’s MPs who have initially agreed to disapprove the president’s nominees describing it as a betrayal.

He wrote;

“…Unfortunately, Ghanaians were sorely disappointed yesterday when several members of the Minority for some parochial and personal interest voted against the principled position adopted by the party.

“I am also disappointed.

“Those responsible for this betrayal must do some serious soul-searching and learn to place national interest over personal interest.”

Mahama further criticized President Akufo-Addo claiming:

“Equally disappointing is the President’s refusal to seize the opportunity to realign and downsize his bloated government when the NPP flagbearer hopefuls and the Chieftaincy minister resigned.