The MP stated his primary reason for resigning as “personal reasons”.
The honourable MP in a letter dated March 30, 2021, addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin stated his decision to “discontinue his membership of the Appointments Committee after days of careful reflection and thoughtful considerations”.
A copy of the letter sighted by newstodaygh.com on social media read: “This is to formally convey my decision to discontinue my membership of the Appointments Committee after days of careful reflection and thoughtful consideration,” he stated.
The letter was also copied to Hon. Joseph Osei-Owusu, Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, Leader of the NDC Caucus in Parliament, and the Minority Leader.
The honourable MP Ablakwa explained in the letter that his reasons for the decision to step down had been a difficult one, but stopped short of stating exactly what might have informed his decision.
“I shall like to state that the reasons for this is difficult and that the decision is both personal and on principle”.
“Respectfully, … my resignation is with immediate effect and therefore I shall not be available for the vetting of the nominees for deputy ministerial positions,” he added.
“May I extend to you, the leadership of the House, the Committee of Selection and leadership of the great National Democratic Congress. My sincere gratitude for the opportunity to serve as a member of the Appointments Committee in the sixth, seventh and eighth Parliaments of the Republic of Ghana”.
“Kindly accept, Right Honourable, the assurances of my highest esteem,” he concluded.
Honourable Ablakwa becomes MP for North Tongu in 2008 and has been one of the key members of the 26-member Appointments Committee in Parliament.
Election Of Speaker: Okudzeto Ablakwa Lets Cat Out Of The Bag
The Committee of which he was a member recommends to Parliament for approval or otherwise, ministerial nominees proposed by the President for appointment as Ministers of State and their deputies, members of the Council of State, and such other persons specified under the Constitution or any other enactment.
The Appointments Committee currently has 13 members each belonging to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Furthermore, it is billed to commence sitting to vet the President’s nominees for deputy ministerial appointments during the current recess by Parliament.
It will be recalled that quite recently, MPs from the NDC side on the Committee have come under attack and intense pressure from their party hierarchy and supporters for not being voice ferrous enough in reject some of the ministerial nominees sent in by the President.
But instead, they have been accused of rather going ahead to have them approved for positions as Ministers of State.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa was born on August 11, 1980, at Aveyime-Battor and currently the Member of Parliament for the North Tongu constituency in the Volta region.
He served as a deputy minister of state under both Presidents John Evans Atta Mills and John Dramani Mahama from 2009 to 2016.
