Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh has threatened to push for a major ministerial reshuffle over the failure of some government ministers to appear in Parliament to answer questions, warning that the Minority Caucus will no longer treat such officials with leniency.
He said ministers who repeatedly miss parliamentary proceedings despite being scheduled to respond to questions should expect a tougher approach from the opposition, adding that their performance and commitment to parliamentary accountability would come under scrutiny.
Speaking on Friday during deliberations on Parliament’s Business Statement for the following week, Mr Annoh-Dompreh expressed frustration over what he described as some ministers’ failure to honour invitations to appear before the House.
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“We are not going to treat you with kid gloves again. And again, ministers who don’t come and respond to questions, they should be ready. Ministers who don’t come, they don’t show up,” he cautioned.
He argued that ministers who fail to appear before Parliament are not making themselves available for evaluation, insisting that their absence raises questions about their suitability to continue serving in their respective positions.
“Ministers who have not shown up, we are going to push for a major reshuffle,” he said.
He challenged ministers who believe their performance has been unsatisfactory to accept the need for changes in government appointments.
The Minority Chief Whip, however, singled out the Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, and the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, for their regular presence in the Chamber to respond to parliamentary questions.
According to him, the Roads Minister’s consistent attendance explains why the Minority Leader is comfortable scheduling several questions for him.
“That is why I am not surprised our new and respected leader will schedule 20 questions in the name of the Roads Minister alone. Why? Because he knows the Roads Minister will come and answer all these questions,” he stated.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh urged other ministers to emulate the two ministers and demonstrate similar commitment to parliamentary accountability.
“Ministers who don’t come to the Chamber, take a cue from Honourable Ahmed. Take a cue from the Roads Minister,” he added.
He warned that ministers who continue to avoid parliamentary questions should not expect the opposition to go easy on them.