Domelovo Advocates for a More Rigorous and Intentional Vetting Process

Former Auditor-General Daniel Domelovo has called for a more thorough and purposeful approach to the vetting of ministerial nominees, expressing concerns about the current process’s effectiveness and depth.

In an appearance on TV3’s Key Programme on Saturday, February 1, 2025, Domelovo shared his dissatisfaction with the current state of the vetting process. He argued that the procedure often fails to provide the necessary scrutiny needed to assess nominees’ true qualifications and competencies for office.

Domelovo emphasized that the primary goal of the vetting process is to assess whether the nominees are adequately qualified to carry out their responsibilities. He stressed that this process should primarily focus on evaluating the technical expertise, experience, and ethical background of the nominees. Rather than getting distracted by irrelevant matters, the process should prioritize finding out whether the nominee is fit for their intended role.

“The core purpose of any job interview is to ensure the candidate is qualified, and that same approach should be reflected in the vetting process,” Domelovo said. He pointed out that there is a tendency during vetting sessions to focus on trivial details that do not contribute to evaluating a nominee’s qualifications or capacity for the role they are being considered for.

He added, “If the president believes that a nominee is fit for a position, the primary question should be whether they meet the basic qualifications. Anything beyond that should involve a more rigorous and serious examination.”

Domelovo also criticized the relevance of some of the questions asked during recent vetting sessions. For instance, he cited examples where nominees were asked questions about personal matters, such as involvement in martial arts, rather than more relevant questions regarding their professional qualifications and capabilities for the job.

Another issue Domelovo raised was the limited time allocated to nominees during the vetting process. In some cases, nominees were given as little as eight minutes for questioning, a time frame he considers insufficient for a comprehensive assessment. “International best practices recommend that vetting sessions be allocated sufficient time to allow for a thorough review of the nominee’s background and qualifications,” Domelovo said, stressing that such a brief period undermines the effectiveness of the process.

He further highlighted the need for the vetting process to serve the public interest rather than being influenced by political motivations. Domelovo believes that a rigorous vetting procedure would ensure that only the most capable individuals are appointed to serve in government positions, thus benefiting the country and ensuring better governance.

Domelovo’s statements came in the wake of a chaotic incident during the vetting process on Thursday, January 30, 2025. During the session, several Minority MPs, including the Chief Whip and Deputy Whip, became involved in a public altercation. In response, the Speaker of Parliament swiftly intervened to condemn the disruptive behavior and issued a stern warning that such actions would not be tolerated in future proceedings.

Domelovo expressed his approval of the Speaker’s prompt action, stating, “I was pleased to see the Speaker address the situation with speed and firmness.” He added that disruptive behavior in Parliament undermines the credibility of the process and should be dealt with firmly to ensure that it does not disrupt parliamentary proceedings in the future.

To enhance the efficiency and fairness of the vetting process, Domelovo suggested that clearer and more structured guidelines be put in place to ensure that all participants are given equal opportunities to contribute. “If the Minority Leader is allocated an hour, then perhaps they should be allowed 10 or 20 minutes to ask questions, but no one should dominate the entire session,” he explained. He stressed the need for a balanced and orderly procedure to ensure that every nominee is given a fair opportunity to present their qualifications.

Domelovo also warned against the practice of “negative benchmarking,” urging Ghanaians to avoid justifying harmful political actions by comparing them to past international crises, such as the Rwandan genocide. He cautioned against using these tragic events to justify poor political decisions or practices, encouraging the public to make decisions based on sound judgment, fairness, and the long-term interests of the nation.

Domelovo’s call for a more thorough and meaningful vetting process highlights the importance of careful evaluation when selecting public officials. He believes that improving the vetting process will help ensure that only qualified individuals are appointed to key government positions, ultimately strengthening governance and enhancing public trust in the political system.