Doe Adjaho: We Take Strong Exception To Using Falsehood To Accuse PAC Of Double Standards

Chairman of the Appointments Committee of Parliament (PAC), Hon Doe Adjaho, has stressed that though the committee accepts condemnation and criticism of its decision to openly vet the Vice-President designate, Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, in good faith, it however takes exception to using falsehood to accuse the PAC of double standards. There has been open dissent against the committee�s decision to subject Mr Amissah-Arthur to a public hearing with some calling on the committee to show consistency and not at some point opt for in-camera when vetting some nominees. Indeed, Deputy Minister of Information, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on Metro TV�s Good Morning Ghana Show, accused the committee of unfair treatment and double standards for their decision to conduct a public vetting for the Vice President designate. According to him, �The Speaker of Parliament, who is the number three person line to the presidency was never vetted � the Chief Justice who is fourth in line was vetted in camera and the National Security Minister, Mr. Francis Poku was also vetted in camera and yet PAC has decided to vet the number two person in public and they want us to think they are being fair?� But in a brief opening address before the vetting of Amissah-Arthur commenced, Hon Doe Adjaho who is also the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament categorically denied the claims that Chief Justice Theodora Georgina Wood was vetted in-camera. He, however, admitted that the National Security Coordinator was vetted in-camera because of the sensitivity and security of the position. According to him, the decision by the PAC to hold a public vetting was a unanimous one reached by both sides of the House; the Majority and Minority, adding that the in-camera hearing was discussed and was overwhelmingly rejected by the PAC members. �The committee�s decision to hold a public vetting has generated a lot of reaction, with some commentators supporting the decision whilst others have condemned that decision. As public officials, we accept all these condemnation and criticism in good faith. However, what we cannot accept, is to use falsehood to accuse the committee of double standards. Indeed, some have even argued that the case of his ladyship Theodora Georgina Wood, an in-camera hearing was conducted; that is absolutely false and there are records to prove that,� he said and referred such people to the Parliament Hansard of Friday, June 1, 2007.