Parliament approves three ministerial nominees

Feb 2011
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
PARLIAMENT has approved the nominations of three ministerial nominees who have been vetted by the Appointments Committee.
The nominees are Mr Clement Kofi Humado, Minister designate for Youth and Sports; Dr Kwasi Akyem Apea-Kubi, Eastern Regional Minister designate and Dr Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, Ashanti Regional Minister designate.
The Appointments Committee of Parliament, after vetting the nominees, unanimously recommended all of them to the House for approval.
Commenting on the nomination of Mr Homado as the Minister of Youth and Employment, the Ranking Member on Youth and Sports, Mr Isaac Kwame Asiamah, urged him to take note that he was the fourth person to be appointed by President Mills to take charge of the ministry.
He, therefore, urged him to be extra vigilant in order to remain in that position for the rest of the two years of the Mills’ administration.
He also drew Mr Humado’s attention to the ban that had been imposed on Ghana by the International Olympics Committee (IOC) and advised him to work around the clock to ensure that the ban was lifted soon.
On the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP), Mr Asiamah reminded the minister designate of allegations of sexual harassment and the alleged sale of forms by some officials to some prospective beneficiaries.
For his part, the MP for Manhyia, Dr Matthew Opoku-Prempeh, commended the three nominees for their composure and demeanour during the vetting exercise and expressed the hope that they would carry such positive attributes to their respective assigned areas.
When he caught the eye of the Speaker, the Minority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, also complained about the huge amount of money paid to foreign coaches, who abandon the team soon after achieving laurels.
He suggested that the country should poach up-and-coming coaches instead of paying so much for coaches purporting to have achieved a lot in international football.
The Member of Parliament for Shai/Osudoku, Mr David Tettey-Assumeng, expressed the hope that the three ministers would achieve results in their respective areas.
He asked the minister designate for Youth and Sports to take proper care of the National Youth Council, which he said was using obsolete machines such as typewriters in this era of computer.
While urging Mr Humado to be extra cautious in his dealings at his ministry, he complained about too much partisanship and urged him not to create antagonism.