Former President John Mahama has urged National Democratic Congress(NDC) Members of Parliament who voted to approve President Akufo-Addo’s ministerial nominees which was against the party directive to do a serious soul searching.

The party had publicly directed all of its MPs to vote to reject President Akufo-Addo’s nominees.

This was to compel President Akufo-Addo to significantly reduce the size of his government which the NDC said was bloated.

However, following a secret vote on Friday evening, all the six nominees were approved though three MPs from the majority were not in Parliament.
Ex President Mahama, a Flagbearer hopeful in a Facebook post expressed huge disappointment over the conduct of the MPs who approved the nominees.
“Those responsible for this betrayal must do some serious soul searching and learn to place national interest over personal interest,” the ex President said.
Below is the full statement

*HE John Dramani Mahama on parliament’s approval of new ministerial nominees*

A couple of weeks ago, our NDC group in Parliament announced a principled position not to approve any new ministers until the President has taken steps to significantly reduce the size of his government.

This position was supported by a broad section of Ghanaians and public advocacy groups.

Unfortunately, Ghanaians were sorely disappointed yesterday when several members of the Minority for some parochial and personal interest voted against the principled position adopted by the party.

I am also disappointed.

Those responsible for this betrayal must do some serious soul searching and learn to place national interest over personal interest.

Equally disappointing is the President’s refusal to seize the opportunity to realign and downsize his bloated government when the NPP flagbearer hopefuls and the Chieftaincy minister resigned.

Clearly in this time of crisis and excruciating hardships, President Akufo-Addo, his NPP administration and some of our MPs are out of tune with the mood of the Ghanaian people.

I still believe, as I said in Ho recently, that in this time of crisis, government can still run efficiently with not more than 60 ministers.

For our grassroots members and all Ghanaians who are disappointed by this insensitivity, I urge you not to despair.

2024 offers us an opportunity to work hard to defeat this reckless government that seeks to destroy our democracy and the very livelihoods of Ghanaians- an opportunity for us to work and build the Ghana we all want from January 07, 2025.