Parliament yesterday approved the President's nominations for four deputy ministerial appointments by secret ballot, the first in the third parliament of the fourth republic.

Members made the rare use of the legislative electoral process after the house failed to compromise on the wholesale approval of the nominees.

Mr Kwaku Agyeman Manu, nominated for the Transport and Communications portfolio, secured 83 for and 79 against, Mr John Bennam Jabaah, Manpower Development and Employment, 86 for, 76 against and Mr Alex Seidu Sofo, Roads and Highways, 91 in favour and 71 against.

The fourth nominee, Mrs Sophia Horner, Western Region Deputy Minister-designate, escaped defeat by the skin of the teeth with a 82-80 vote.

According the Parliamentary standing order 172 clause 8, a nominee who is being voted for, shall require at least 50 per cent of votes cast to be eligible for approval.

Fifty per cent of the 163 members voting was pegged at 82.