By Joseph Dwamena
The vetting process for key ministerial nominees has concluded, liberating us from the tumult that dominated our screens. Indeed, certain incidents were quite distressing, and I am pleased that the individuals involved have extended their apologies.
Moreover, it is encouraging to note that the Speaker of Parliament, RT. Honourable Bagbin, has established a committee to investigate this unbecoming conduct exhibited by our esteemed MPs, which has raised significant concerns. We eagerly anticipate the committee’s findings.
Certain individuals experienced a relatively easy process during the vetting, facing only two questions before being advised to take care of themselves and depart. “Honourable, take care of yourself and bye-bye.”
In contrast, others encountered significant challenges, undergoing vetting that extended for more than five hours. This included Sam George, the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, and Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Their previous statements had repercussions, making it difficult for them to defend their positions, despite their repeated attempts to support their past remarks.
Insolent Sam George
There were many people who eagerly anticipated Mr Sam George to at least make some little concession, own up to some of his unjustified criticisms of other people, and offer an apology. Some others, including me, were disappointed that it never transpired. I was expecting the Communications Minister to come down from his ecstasy, but he never did.
I must give credit to Afenyo Markin, the Minority Leader, who, in my opinion, aimed to expose Mr Sam George’s true nature, rather than press him to provide an apology. I hold the view that the purpose of the line used by the Minority Leader was to reveal the Communications Minister’s true character, and let him fall on his own sword.
For someone who can look into the face of all those seated at the Committee, and warn them not to use the occasion to whitewash former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo shows how arrogant, pompous and egotistic Mr Sam George is.
When he openly stated that President Akufo-Addo should bear the blame for the galamsey issue as he was the Head of State, I chuckled. Alright.
But when questioned if President Mahama should be held in the same position, this same individual responds that this shouldn’t be the case because the current President hasn’t jeopardized his office by declaring war on galamsey. This type of double standards is what our Communications Minister was displaying.
Mr Equity, Ablakwa
The clean hands philosophy states that “those who seek equity must do equity.” However, it appeared that Okudzeto Ablakwa, our Foreign Affairs Minister and the Chairman of Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL), let down the nation when he had the chance to provide credibility to this idea.
“Atentenhuro sa woto aa wonhuri agya” is an Akan proverb that means “those with wool stuffed at their backside should refrain from jumping over fire.” When requested to provide information about his residence and if he is the owner of the Airport Hills property, Okudzeto Ablakwa said he was just a tenant, but we all know the truth. How could someone who had taken it upon himself to uncover alleged state land thievery by public workers be found wanting?
As promised during his vetting, the Minister had not yet provided the committee with the specifics of his tenancy agreement at the time of his passage by the lawmakers, in which the Minority did not take part. Only two of the nine documents Okudzeto Ablakwa pledged to provide to the Committee were about his registered firms; one was about a company that had gone out of business, and the other had recently started up.
Many people have questioned Okudzeto Ablakwa’s reliability, and I concur with the previous Minister of Lands and Natural Resources , Abu Jinapor, when he said that, given his exposure, Mr Ablakwa would decline to serve as ORAL’s chairman if given the opportunity again.
Even if he claims that he should be commended for intercepting many documents and saving the country millions of cedis, I believe it was only just that he be put through the same stringent scrutiny to see if he is as clean as he claims to be. Equity, Equity, Mr. Minister!
Of murderers and bloody widow
Kingsley Agyemang, the Abuakwa South MP, read a commemorative remark to the House, and I am still amazed how it led to the events that transpired in Parliament last week. Members were just invited to contribute to the statement; they ended up attempting to change history and using derogatory language that could not be printed.
Unfortunately, the words “Children of a murderer,” uttered by an unidentified person on the House’s floor ruined what could have been a history lesson for those of us watching the events live on TV.
When we critique and reject things that we think are bad, we should be consistent. If it wasn’t excellent yesterday, it’s not good today either.
John Dumelo, a deputy agriculture minister designate and actor, who is currently the MP for Ayawaso West Wuogon, made similar comments telling Lydia Alhassan, her predecessor, ‘ we know who killed her husband and aside that, the Majority then Minority boldly displayed placards labelling the former MP ‘a bloody widow.’ How insensitive can we be much more our Honourables. These incidents are all in bad taste and must be condemned.
Since Parliament is regarded as a place of “mighty and majestic” people composed of “Honourables,” we want our lawmakers to uphold the institution’s reputation and refrain from defaming it. Or perhaps the public should form a Privileges Committee and call all Members of Parliament who engage in “dishonorable” behaviour before it.
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