Contrary to public concerns that Majority Leader of Parliament Alban Bagbin was treated with kid gloves when he appeared before the parliamentary vetting committee on Wednesday, Minority Leader Kyei Mensah Bonsu has stated the House did not play games with the minister designate for works, housing and water resources.
Mapping out a defense of the parliamentary vetting committee, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Suame in Kumasi, underscored that the committee did its work with all the needed seriousness.
The minority leader told Fox Fm, a Kumasi-based radio station Thursday morning that contrary to assertions that nothing serious occurred at the vetting, something distinctive happened.
Hon. Mensah Bonsu contended that the public did not recognize that something significant occurred because they probably did not follow the proceedings closely.
He explained that the question posed to Hon. Bagbin as to whether there was a report in place with regards to the Chinery Hesse Committee before the Mills administration came into office was noteworthy.
According to him, the question was significant because Hon Bagbin’s answer to the effect that there was a report in place refuted President Mills’ assertion that he was not privy to any report regarding recommendations made by the committee.
Hon. Mensah Bonsu expatiated that Hon Bagbin’s response was particularly important because it not only revealed that the Ishmael Yamson’s committee set up to review the work of the committee was unnecessary but has also settled the dust on the work of the Chinery Hesse Committee.
“As a minority leader at the time the report was made, we needed such a national platform to ask him his candid opinion about how his government has treated the report, and we achieved that mission perfectly,” he observed.
He pointed out further that they did not waste much time asking the Nadowli West MP too many questions because they were convinced he was capable of delivering at his new position.
“There was no need to bother him with many questions because having been minority leader for eight years with subsequent service as majority leader for a year, there is no denying the fact that Hon Bagbin can deliver.”
He contended that the position of a majority and minority leader were bigger and more demanding than a ministerial position, therefore anybody who has occupied such a tough spot can obviously perform efficiently as a minister.
Again, the minority leader pointed out that it was unnecessary to waste Hon Bagbin’s time because there were no adverse findings from the security agencies and the public against him.
Still preaching about Hon Bagbin’s competence, Hon Mensah Bonsu noted that as a former chairman of the water resources commission, the Nadowli MP has what it takes to be an effective minister of works, housing and water resources.
Many Ghanaians were disappointed after what they saw an easy ride for Hon. Bagbin when he appeared before the parliamentary vetting committee.
Due to his posture of asking probing questions on the vetting committee whenever it sits, many had expected that Hon. Bagbin would be given a tough time by his colleagues, particularly his close pal Hon. Mensah Bonsu.
Many felt he was treated with kid gloves as he was given the time and space to sing and narrate stories when he ought to have answered salient questions bordering on his new office.
Source: Daily Guide/Ghana
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