Accra, March 18, GNA - Three out of sixteen persons nominated by the President as deputy ministers had their approval deferred by Parliament indefinitely.

They are, Mr Daniel C. Dugan, nominated for Fisheries, Mr J.B. Danquah Adu, Women and Children's Affairs and Nana Ato Arthur, Central Region.

Mr Freddie Blay, Chairman of the Appointments Committee, said the House should defer decision on the three to allow the Committee some more time to consider thoroughly pertinent matters that arose during their vetting.

The 13 Deputy Minister-designates who received the nod of the House were Dr Gheysika A. Agambila, Science and Environment, Prof G.Y. Gyan-Baffour, Finance and Economic Planning, Mr K. Amporfo Twumasi, Education and Sports, and Mr Abraham Dwuma Odoom, Deputy Local Government and Rural Development.

Others were Ms Rita Tani Iddi, Lands, Forestry and Mines, Dr. B. Aggrey Ntim, Communications, Mr Christopher Addae, Harbours and Railways, Mrs A. Frema Osei-Opare, Manpower, Youth and Employment and Mrs Mercy Bampo Addo, Office of the President.

The rest were Mr Ignatius Baffour Awuah, Brong Ahafo Region, Madam Sophia Horner-Sam, Western Region, Mr M. Amin Adam, Northern Region and Mr A. Awudu Yirimea, Upper East Region.

Mr Alban Bagbin, the Minority Leader, asked that reasons should be given to the House as to why the Appointments Committee could not take a decision on the three nominees.

"If reasons were not given our colleagues will walk around with question marks on their heads and that the House should know why a decision had not been taken on them."

Mr Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, Majority Chief Whip, said it would be better the issues are not put in the public domain "for the good of the nominees".

Mr Blay said the Committee would continue to work on the nominees during the recess and would present its report when the House resumes. 18 March 05