Survey Reveals 77% Believe Appointments Committee Vetting is Politicized and Used to "Score Points"

A recent national poll conducted by Global InfoAnalytics has revealed widespread concern regarding Ghana’s parliamentary vetting process, with 77% of respondents believing that the Appointments Committee is using its platform more for political point-scoring than for evaluating the competence and suitability of nominees. This perception has sparked significant debate over the integrity of the parliamentary oversight process and its broader impact on effective governance.

The survey, conducted between January 30th and February 1st, 2025, provides a mixed view of the committee’s performance. While 63% of those surveyed expressed satisfaction with its work, only 28% indicated that they were “very satisfied” or “extremely satisfied.” A notable 37% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the committee’s performance, indicating a divided public opinion.

Public reactions to the leadership of the committee also varied. Hon. Bernard Ahiafor, the committee’s chairman, enjoyed moderate approval with 56% of respondents expressing support, though 44% were dissatisfied with his leadership, including 19% who expressed strong discontent. On the other hand, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the opposition’s ranking member and Minority Leader, faced much stronger criticism, with 64% disapproving of his performance, including 44% who indicated they were “not satisfied at all.”

The public’s discontent with the Appointments Committee has been fueled by recent controversies surrounding its vetting sessions, which have been marked by disorder and physical altercations, particularly during the vetting of nominees. Disagreements between the Majority and Minority caucuses have led to disruptions, with some incidents resulting in the destruction of public property. Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, condemned the altercations as “disgraceful” and indicative of a lack of emotional intelligence among members. In response, he established a seven-member special committee to investigate the incident.

Despite these controversies, public engagement with the vetting process remains high. According to the survey, 88% of respondents actively follow the Appointments Committee’s proceedings, underscoring the public’s continued interest in the process, even as concerns about its politicization persist.

The findings of the poll also show a significant contrast between public satisfaction with President Mahama’s appointments and criticism of the vetting process itself. An impressive 90% of voters expressed satisfaction with Mahama’s appointees, highlighting a public disconnect between approval of the individuals nominated for positions and dissatisfaction with the way they are vetted by parliament.

The poll also revealed strong public backing for Speaker Alban Bagbin’s recent decision to suspend four members of parliament. This move was supported by 79% of respondents, signaling a public desire for greater accountability and order within parliament.

The survey, which sampled 952 respondents through a combination of online and field interviews, carries a margin of error of ±3.20% at a 95% confidence level. These results indicate a clear public frustration with the current state of Ghana’s parliamentary vetting process, which many perceive as being overshadowed by political theatrics rather than a genuine effort to assess the qualifications of nominees. This sentiment may push for reforms to ensure that the vetting process serves its intended purpose of strengthening governance and fostering trust in the political system.