The Appointments Committee of Parliament on Thursday night resolved by consensus to recommend to the house the approval of seven of the eight Ministerial and Deputy Ministerial nominees who appeared before the committee over the past two days.
Mahama Ayariga's approval has been put on hold to enable members of the Committee conduct their own investigations into how he secured five Kubota tractors meant for farmers in deprived communities, from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
A pressure group, the Progressive Nationalist Forum, PNF dragged Ayariga to CHRAJ, arguing he inappropriately abused his office and bought tractors that he was not entitled to. The PNF claimed the tractors acquired by Mr. Ayariga formed part of some 2000 tractors and their accessories procured by the government of Ghana for underprivileged farmers across the country to boost food production and security in the country.
But after examining all the evidence provided by the PNF and Ayariga, the Commission for Human Rights and dministrative Justice (CHRAJ), a day to Mr. Ayariga's vetting, said it came to the conclusion that Mr. Ayariga did not violate any regulations, neither was there any shred of evidence to substantiate the allegations against him.
But at a closed door meeting on Thursday 11th February 2009, the Appointment Committee said it will officially write to CHRAJ on Friday 12th February to seek explanation on the suspicion that CHRAJ's verdict on the matter might have been influenced.
The committee also contended that inconsistencies existed in Mr. Ayariga's responses on the matter and CHRAJ's report. Citi News sources say the committee is also baffled by the timing of CHRAJ's report and wondered if it was a mere coincidence. The Appointments Committee will present the report to the House on Tuesday 16th February 2009.
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