The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communicator in the Western region, Mr. Ken Woode has noted President Akufo-Addo’s ministerial appointment is a way to save money amidst economic challenges.
Speaking on OilCity Radio’s morning show, Oman Yi Mu Nsem on Wednesday, Mr. Woode lauded the government’s measures put in place to generate revenue for the country.
“The government one way or another reduced the salary of its appointees by 30% and it is a form of saving.
“Secondly, some former ministers like Alan Kyerematen and Afriyie Akoto were not parliamentarians and so they incurred cost …. look if someone is a parliamentarian and becomes a minister the cost is lesser than someone who is not an MP, some MPs may decide to forgo some ministerial privileges they are entitled to… which helps us to save money but they’ve [NDC] kept quiet about it and they are not talking about it
“When NDC was in power they had 10 regions with 86 ministers but now the regions are 16 and we still have 86 ministers then tell me is that not a reduction?” he quizzed.
Parliament on Friday, approved the nominations of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo’s new ministers.
Out of the 275 Members of Parliament eligible to vote, three were absent while the remaining 272 Members successfully cast their ballots.
The approved Ministers include Hon. K.T Hammond as Minister for Trade and Industry (154 votes), Hon. Bryan Acheampong as Minister of Food and Agriculture (167 votes), Mr. Stephen Asamoah Boateng as Minister of Religious Affairs and Chieftaincy (147), Hon. Mohammed Amin Adams as Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance (152), Mr. Osei Bonsu Amoah as Minister for Local Government and Rural Development (149), and Hon. Stephen Amoah as Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry (146).
Some Minority members were displeased with some of their National Democratic Congress (NDC) colleagues who defied explicit party orders and voted massively for six new ministers appointed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Member of Parliament for Builsa South, Dr. Clement Apaak, prayed for those who, he claimed, betrayed the party and made the NDC and the Minority look bad.
Ningo Prampram MP, Sam Nartey George also emphasised on Facebook how completely deceived he felt by his colleagues’ behaviour.
“I have been silent. It is a difficult place to be. I am not one to be silent, it is not in my nature. My silence has been borne out of pain; a type that cuts so deep it leaves you speechless. My pain is twofold – a sense of being let down and a sense of letting down,” Sam George said.
