The Ranking Member of the Appointments Committee of Parliament, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, has finally addressed why the committee did not properly scrutinise the Greater Accra Regional Minister-designate during her vetting process.
Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, the Greater Accra Regional Minister-designate, was scheduled for vetting on January 28, 2025, and became the fastest nominee to complete the Parliamentary Appointments Committee’s vetting, doing so in under 10 minutes.
Ocloo, who is also the Member of Parliament of Shai-Osudoku, was not asked any questions by the committee members, which raised concerns among the general public.
Afenyo-Markin merely indicated that the delegation accompanying Ocloo was formidable and demonstrated her competence in running the ministry.
The committee’s decision to fast-track Linda Ocloo’s vetting received heavy criticisms and backlash, with critics highlighting the pressing issues and challenges confronting the Greater Accra Region, such as sanitation and other critical concerns.
Many questioned the committee’s decision to bypass thorough scrutiny, given the region’s ongoing difficulties.
In response to the incident, the Minority Leader stated, in an interview with GBC, on Monday, February 3, 2025, that his side of the committee was urged not to scrutinise the nominee.
The Effutu lawmaker explained that his side refrained from asking Ocloo pressing questions because they were told she could not withstand scrutiny.
This, he said, influenced their decision to comply with the request and avoid probing her during the vetting process.
“If you ask [questions] you get a problem, if you don’t ask too, problem. They came begging that the woman could not stand scrutiny, so, we just let her go. We [the Minority] decided to let it be but their side [the Majority] should have asked the questions.
“They are begging that the person cannot stand the heat. We yielded because obviously, she is a widow and that she cannot stand the scrutiny and had some other challenges, so, we let it go. After all, she qualifies under Article 78 so we let it go,” he said.
Meanwhile, Linda Ocloo has been approved as the Greater Accra Regional Minister.
She is expected to focus on urban development, youth empowerment, and strengthening public services in the region.