The leader of the NDC caucus in Parliament Haruna Iddrisu has said, that the recent action by President Akufo Addo appointing some ministers he administered the nation within his first term as caretaker ministers is “unconstitutional” and “illegal”
Mr. Iddrisu who was speaking on Joy Prime monitored by Apexnewsgh.com sighted a Supreme Court judgement, as he explained that in J. H. Mensah versus The Attorney General in 1997, the Supreme Court ruled that there was nothing like ‘acting’ or ‘holding’ minister. Insisting that the President got it wrong.
“I have seen some former ministers still hold themselves about as if they are ministers. That is unlawful, that is illegal and unconstitutional. As we speak today, Ghana has no ministers,” “The President got it wrong. Their mandate has elapsed and until they are nominated, go through vetting, secure approval of Parliament, they cannot hold themselves out as Ministers. So as far as we are concerned, there is nothing like an Acting Minister and the Supreme Court does not recognize such a position.”
However, the Tamale South MP’s comments came after President Akufo-Addo on Monday directed some of his former ministers to maintain their respective positions until new appointments are made for his second term.
The former ministers who were asked to be ‘caretaker’ ministers include Kojo Oppong Nkruma , former Minister of Information, Alan Kyerematen, former Minister of Trade and Industry, Ken Ofori-Atta, former Minister of Finance; and Domini Nitiwul, former Minister of Defence.
The others are Ambrose Dery, former Interior Minister, Albert Kan Dapaah, former National Security Minister and Hajia Alima Mahama, former Local Government Minister.
Eugene Arhin is also to act as Director of Communications at the presidency.
Meanwhile, the ‘caretaker’ ministers, according to a GNA report, have been directed by the acting Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, not to take decisions involving policy issues.
Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
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