Parliament Approves Sam George and Four Other Ministerial Appointments

Parliament has officially approved the nomination of Sam Nartey George as the Minister-designate for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, along with four other ministerial appointees. The confirmation of Mr. George was achieved through a majority vote, although the Minority Caucus chose not to endorse him, opting for abstention instead.

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin explained the reasoning behind their decision, citing several concerns surrounding Mr. George’s public statements and actions. One of the main issues raised by the Minority was Mr. George’s accusations against former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, alleging that he had benefited from illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey. Additionally, the Minority took issue with Mr. George’s public criticism of the Chief Justice, which they argued was inappropriate given his position as a public servant. They also pointed out that Mr. George had failed to provide necessary documentation regarding his spouse’s business dealings and his sources of secondary income, which were issues raised during his confirmation hearing before the Appointments Committee.

“We are leaving this matter in the hands of the Majority in this House,” Afenyo-Markin declared, emphasizing that the Minority would not be participating in the decision to confirm Mr. George. “It is their responsibility now, as we, the NPP Minority Caucus of 88, are abstaining.”

In response to these allegations, Mr. George took to social media to clarify his position. He posted that he had submitted all required documents to the Appointments Committee, refuting the claims that he had failed to meet the necessary requirements. “For the avoidance of any doubt and to settle any controversy, yesterday, I submitted to the Appointments Committee all the documents required of me, and more,” he stated. Among the documents he provided were certified copies of his academic certificates from the London School of Economics (LSE) and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), along with proof of his travel expenses, accommodation receipts, and other relevant paperwork.

Mr. George reiterated his dedication to serving the country, emphasizing his commitment to the role. “Facts are sacred and I remain resolute in my quest to serve my Nation to the best of my abilities. So help me God,” he affirmed.

While the confirmation of Mr. George sparked division, the House unanimously approved the nominations of four other appointees. These included Dr. Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo as Minister-designate for Labour, Jobs, and Employment; Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed as Minister-designate for Environment, Science, and Technology; Kofi Iddie Adams as Minister-designate for Sports and Recreation; and Joseph Bukari Nikpe as Minister-designate for Transport. Their approval followed a motion moved by the Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Bernard Ahiafor, who recommended the adoption of the committee’s report, highlighting the nominees’ qualifications and competence for their respective roles.

“The committee, therefore, recommends to the House, by consensus, the adoption of its report and the approval of Dr. Pelpuo, Mr. Muhammed, Mr. Adams, and Mr. Nikpe,” Ahiafor stated. He also advised that Mr. George’s nomination be decided by a majority vote, which ultimately led to his confirmation.

During the debate, Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin expressed full support for the other four nominees, stating that the Minority had no objections to their qualifications. He emphasized that their approval was based on merit and in the national interest. “I have no hesitation at all in seconding the Chairman’s motion for this House to approve honourable Pelpuo, Muhammed, Adams, and Bukari,” Afenyo-Markin affirmed.

However, he remained firm in the Minority’s opposition to Mr. George’s nomination. Although he acknowledged that Mr. George met the constitutional requirements for a ministerial role, Afenyo-Markin maintained that the issues raised during the vetting process were significant enough to prevent the Minority from supporting his appointment. He explained that the Minority felt these matters could not be overlooked for the sake of party unity or political expediency.

Afenyo-Markin also addressed Mr. George’s social media posts and public statements, specifically criticizing his language in attacking the Chief Justice. “We believe that his criticism, which he describes as constructive, could have been more carefully worded, especially given his position as a public servant,” Afenyo-Markin noted.

Additionally, Afenyo-Markin expressed disappointment over Mr. George’s persistence in alleging that former President Akufo-Addo had profited from illegal mining activities. “For the nominee to insist that President Nana Akufo-Addo benefited from the galamsey menace, we found that most unfortunate,” he said, underlining the importance of maintaining decorum in public discourse.

In the end, the majority of Parliament confirmed the five ministerial appointments, though the process revealed a clear divide between the Majority and Minority Caucuses. The confirmation of Mr. George, alongside the unanimous approval of the other four nominees, underscores the complexities and challenges of ministerial vetting in Ghanaian politics. While the Majority secured the appointment of all five nominees, the Minority’s abstention and vocal opposition to Mr. George highlight ongoing political tensions and disagreements over the suitability of certain public officials.