The Parliament of Ghana has put on hold the approval of the Minister-designate for Gender, Children and Social Protection Otiko Afisa Djaba until Tuesday, February 7, 2017.

Debating in on the floor of Parliament the Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu reiterated that Otiko Djaba does not have the support of his side in the house.

“She does not have our support and she will not have our support until she behaves in a manner befitting a minister.”

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All of the MPs on the minority side of the Appointments Committee voted against her approval. They argued that her posture during the vetting did not befit a minister and also because she did not do National Service.

Djaba during her vetting refused to apologise for describing former President John Mahama as “evil, wicked” and “an embarrassment” to people of the regions up north.

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Haruna Iddrisu said he was “referring to Act 426 section 7 of the Constitution”, adding: “It is also a national obligation. She, in her answers, was forthright and was candid with the committee that ‘I have not done national service’. Therefore, can she work in the public service of Ghana and hold the high office of a minister of state?” he asked

However, the Committee as a whole recommended Djaba and other nominees for approval by majority decision.

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On Friday, 3 February, the Minority in Parliament pushed for the vote to be cast immediately but the Majority insisted the vote be deferred to Tuesday. Speaker of Parliament Prof Mike Oquaye ruled in favour of the Majority.

In a related development, other Ministers-designate including Samuel Atta Akyea – Works and Housing, Joe Ghartey – Railways Development, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful – Communication, Dan Botwe – Region Reorganisation, Ignatius Baffour Awuah – Roads and Highways, John Peter Amewu – Lands and Natural Resources, Anthony Akoto-Osei – Monitoring and Evaluation, were all approved by the house.