We know her, we don’t need to take her through another grilling – Minority Leader explains record time vetting
The Ranking Member of the Appointments Committee of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has defended the committee’s decision to vet the Greater Accra Minister-designate, Linda Ocloo, without asking her a single question to assess her competence and suitability for the position.
The Appointments Committee of Parliament has come under heavy criticism from a section of Ghanaians, who have described the vetting process as a mockery.
It can safely be said that the nominee underwent the shortest vetting session ever conducted by Ghana’s 9th Parliament.
The Member of Parliament for the Shai-Osudoku Constituency took the hot seat but only for less than ten minutes. As Ocloo began her formal introduction to the Appointments Committee, the session took an unexpected turn.
She was interrupted by Minority Leader and ranking committee member Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who interjected with kind words of recognition rather than a demanding query.
“Honorable Linda Ocloo is a remarkable member of this House,” he said, offering his congratulations in what felt more like a gesture of camaraderie than scrutiny.
Shortly after, First Deputy Speaker and committee Chairman Bernard Ahiafor extended his personal greetings to Ocloo’s entourage.
Then, without further delay, he released her, leaving both participants and onlookers perplexed by the extreme brevity of the process. Ocloo’s vetting had already made history before she had even finished her introduction.
However, some Ghanaians took to the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to express their dissatisfaction with the turn of events, with some urging committee members to bow their heads in shame.
Responding to the criticism on the floor of Parliament during the consideration of reports on the nominees by the Appointments Committee, Afenyo-Markin said the committee had valid reasons for Linda Ocloo’s unusually brief vetting session.
“My colleague from Greater Accra came with a whole support base from both the NPP and NDC. So, it tells us that she is able to cross the aisle to get support from the other side. Some media houses were criticizing Parliament for not vetting, for not asking her questions. What is our defence? Our defence is that we know her as our colleague, and we believe that we don’t necessarily have to take her through another grilling because we know she can deliver,” Afenyo-Markin stated.