Appointments C’ttee vets three ministerial nominees
The Deputy Minister designate for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Mr Emmanuel Bombande, has stressed the need for the government to closely monitor the impact of the forthcoming exit of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU) on Ghana.
Advertisement
He said the volume of EU trade might reduce, but it was difficult to know whether Ghana would be positively or negatively affected by the exit.
"We have to observe closely and be well informed in anticipation of what will happen," he said.
Mr Bombande, a former Executive Director of the West Africa Peace Building Network (WANEP), was answering questions from members of the Appointments Committee of Parliament yesterday.
He said there was an indication that the new UK government was not in a rush to leave the EU.
He said if the UK finally opted out of the EU, Ghana would have to sign a new trade agreement with the UK.
"Right now, I can't say it will affect us," he stated.
Economic diplomacy
Mr Bombande said Ghana's economic diplomacy policy was in the right direction as it facilitated trade negotiations.
He said that policy also helped in optimising comparative advantage of the country.
Peace
On peace, Mr Bombande said the public needed to predicate their desire for peace on the resounding message of President John Dramani Mahama on the need for all to live in unity and peace.
He said if Ghanaians supported the security agencies, this year's elections would once again be peaceful.
Mr Bombande called for more support to enhance the capacity of the standing forces in West Africa.
He said it was significant for the standing forces to be made more preventive rather than reactive.
Boko Haram
On the Boko Haram menace, Mr Bombande said military involvement was not the best way to address the issue.
He said it was important to address the root cause of how young men were radicalised, and indicated that the menace of radicalisation "needs the collective effort of the community and the security agencies".
Outstanding issues
The committee asked Mr Bombande to cleanse his curriculum vitae to address the issues of dates and the use of certain words.
He was also asked to follow up on his national service certificate.
Oti Bless
When he took his turn, the Deputy Minister designate for Local Government and Rural Development, Mr John Oti Bless, was grilled over the numerous renditions and arrangements of his name.
He generated laughter when he told the committee that although he was not married, he had been able to produce two children, a boy and a girl.
He said the fathering of the children was as a result of his fallibilty as a man.
The deputy minister designate for the Eastern Region, Mr Joseph Agmor Tetteh, also appeared before the committee.