Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, has suggested that Minority Leader, Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, could take up a deputy ministerial position, as he appears overly concerned about the delay in the President’s submission of ministerial appointments.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, March 18, Mr. Ayariga downplayed the urgency of the appointments, insisting that the President would submit the list at the appropriate time.
He dismissed the persistent questioning on the matter by Mr. Afenyo-Markin implying that raising concerns might be that he is personally invested in the appointments.
“If he is desirous, he should tell us. Mr. Speaker, if he wants an appointment from the President, he should come and tell me privately.
I know he has never been a minister, and even when his government was in power, they never considered him for a ministerial role,” Mr. Ayariga stated.
He further joked that Mr. Afenyo-Markin could be offered a deputy ministerial role in the environment sector.
“The Environment Minister says he doesn’t have a deputy. You can come and be his deputy,” he noted.
The Majority Leader reiterated that the President is not bound by any external timelines and will release his ministerial appointments when ready.
“Commitments made outside this House by any member of the Executive are not necessarily matters that we must comply with in terms of the timelines indicated,” he added.
His comments come in response to concerns from the Minority leader, Afenyo-Markin and regarding the delay in the appointment of ministers.
Mr. Ayariga maintained that there is no cause for alarm, urging Parliament to focus on other pressing matters.
