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Spencer Wan Blog of Saturday, 8 February 2025
Source: Eric Afatsao
According to the most recent source from Ghanaweb, the only ministerial nominee in Ghanaian history to be turned down by Parliament.
Parliament is unlikely to reject a nominee nominated to a ministerial position, as has been the case for several decades. They all pass and end up becoming ministers. The Reverend Dr. Kwesi Owusu Bi, on the other hand, had a rough time after Parliament rejected him.
He was the only nominee to be flatly turned down by the committee, making history. In 2007, John Agyekum Kufuor, who was president at the time, appointed him to be the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry. Alban Bagbin was a crucial member of the Appointments Committee, which was chaired by Freddie Blay and regrettably denied his nomination.
Based on discrepancies in Dr. Owusu Bi’s vetting comments, the committee made its judgment. He was charged with lying, especially on a housing project that the Upper Denkyira District Assembly had supported. He was reportedly given GHC 30 million to construct a teachers’ cottage, but he never finished the project. Although he stated that he had returned the money, the committee did not find his explanation to be compelling and thought he had lied.
Despite being honest throughout the vetting process, Dr. Owusu Bi voiced his tremendous sadness after being disqualified.
He pointed fingers at Alban Bagbin, suggesting the minority leader played a role in his rejection. Dr. Owusu Bi defended himself, explaining that he used the money for research related to the housing project. When the research didn’t succeed, he claimed he returned the funds. He compared his situation to researchers working on HIV/AIDS cures, who aren’t required to return funds even if their research fails.
Another issue that led to his rejection was confusion over whether he had served as a Presiding Member of an Assembly. Dr. Owusu Bi denied this, but the committee claimed to have evidence proving otherwise, which he strongly disputed.
Despite his frustration, the committee stood by its decision, making Dr. Owusu Bi the first and only nominee to be rejected in Ghana’s Fourth Republican history.