Vetting of President Mahama’s Nominees: Eric Opoku Stuns Committee Members; Haruna Iddrisu Shines

President John Dramani Mahama’s nominees for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, left Members of the Parliamentary Vetting Committee astonished when he appeared before them on January 20, 2025.

The nominee, Member of Parliament for Asunafo South and Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, has held this prominent position for years.

Eric Opoku, the final nominee vetted that day, appeared before the committee accompanied by a large group of supporters. The committee room was filled to capacity, and outside, hundreds of youth wearing his T-shirts sang and drummed in support. He was ably assisted by his colleague, Samson Ahi, MP for Juaboso, as they stormed the committee room prepared for a lively session.

Known for his in-depth knowledge of agriculture, Opoku caught the attention of Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who, although impressed by Opoku’s detailed responses, had to caution him to be more concise. “εyε a, twa so na w’abin dodo!” (Be brief for you are too knowledgeable), he advised. Ironically, Afenyo-Markin, who had issued the caution, later found himself prolonging his own questions. This drew laughter from the room, especially when Opoku playfully questioned whether Afenyo-Markin was not the one who had urged brevity.

Opoku’s exceptional knowledge and articulate responses left many members so impressed that they refrained from asking further questions, opting instead to offer him congratulatory remarks. His performance earned him the affectionate title “Professor” from committee members. After more than two hours of questioning, Opoku became the center of attention, with his supporters crowding around him, making interviews and photo opportunities nearly impossible.

Haruna Iddrisu Shines

Haruna Iddrisu, President Mahama’s nominee for Education, also made a strong impression when he appeared before the committee. As the second nominee to be vetted, he quickly distinguished himself with swift, well-considered answers to all questions.

Similar to Opoku, Haruna was showered with compliments, especially from Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei, who referred to him affectionately as “Maa Pat.”

In an amusing moment, Afenyo-Markin prompted Haruna to speak some Twi, based on a note in his CV indicating that he could speak the language. Haruna complied, humorously attributing his fluency in Twi to his Ashanti wife. His vetting was not only engaging but also marked by his swift, precise responses, leaving committee members impressed with his knowledge and communication skills.

Confusion Grips Agbodza’s Vetting

Kwame Governs Agbodza, President Mahama’s nominee for Roads and Highways, was the first to appear before the committee that day. However, his vetting quickly became mired in confusion, lasting nearly two hours. The situation became so chaotic that the chairman, Hon. Ahiafor, had to suspend the sitting for five minutes in an attempt to regain control.

The confusion stemmed from a preliminary observation by Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin, who raised constitutional concerns about the non-existence of a cabinet and the improper constitution of the vetting committee. This triggered a series of points of order from committee members, further escalating the disorder and making it difficult for the chairman to manage proceedings.

The disruption continued for more than two hours, leading to a lengthy vetting session that lasted over seven hours and concluded after 4:00 PM. Despite the initial chaos, Agbodza ultimately excelled, answering all questions with distinction, earning praises and commendations from committee members.

This brings to six the number of President Mahama’s nominees who have been vetted. Last week, nominees for Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayineh, John Abu Jinapor, Minister of Energy, and Dr. Ato Forson were also vetted.

By S.O. Ankamah