Gov’t is to be blamed for Nkwanta North MP’s woes-Dr. Arthur

The Member of Parliament for Komenda Edina Eguafo Abirem constituency in the Central Region Dr. Nana Ato Arthur is blaming government for failing to conduct thorough background check before nominating Member of Parliament for Nkwanta North, John Bless Oti, as Deputy Minister –designate for Local Government and Rural Development.

He argued that had government conducted a thorough background check before nominating him, it would have helped the MP avoid the embarrassing situation he went through, during his vetting at the Parliament Appointment Committee.

The approval of the nominee has been put on hold The following his unsatisfactory answers before the vetting committee and the emergence of audio evidence which had Oti Bless verbally attacking the Supreme Court on the same Montie FM ‘Pampaso’ programme that saw the host of the show and two panelists imprisoned for contempt.

Speaking on Oman FM, Dr. Nana Ato Arthur said “what I know is that before someone will be nominated for a position in government, the security agencies are asked to conduct thorough background checks about the nominee to find out whether the nominee has not involved himself or herself in any wrongdoing. In fact, I don’t think there was something like that in the case of John Oti Bless.”

In a vetting that was aired live on state broadcaster, GTV, the young unmarried MP, who has fathered two children, fumbled in answering many pertinent questions thrown at him by committee members.

Even the least of questions seeking clarity on his own CV presented to the Committee, could not be answered satisfactorily.

The MP, made several omissions on the CV, and failed to add other vital information where necessary. At several points of the vetting, committee members could not control their laughter.

There were also a lot of inconsistencies in his educational background as he claimed to have cut short his degree programme, but went on to have a masters’ degree, which he is still pursuing.

The MP also confessed he never did the mandatory national service for tertiary graduates. Aside the many discrepancies identified on his CV, Mr. Oti Bless also presented to the Committee a certificate that had different names.

That confusion arose from a change of name he did some years ago, but even the writings in his affidavit confirming the change of name, were strangely turned upside down.

He was subsequently advised by the committee, to go back to his alma mater, the Nkwanta Senior High School, to procure an original certificate bearing his original name from birth before the Committee decides whether to approve his nomination or not.

Story by :Michael Creg Afful

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