Speaker sets up 8-member adhoc committee to probe motion against Finance Minister
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has constituted an eight-member committee to determine the motion of censure raised by the Minority Caucus against the beleaguered Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta.
According to the Speaker, setting up a committee will provide an opportunity for the finance minister to respond to issues of conflict of interest raised by the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu.
“The evidence will be placed before the committee. The Minister will have the opportunity to defend himself. A report will be presented to the House, and we will debate that report,” the Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin said.
The New Patriotic Party MP for Adansi-Asokwa, KT Hammond, and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga East, Dominic Ayine will co-chair the ad-hoc committee set up to probe allegations by the Minority against the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
The Committee was set up by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, after the Minority caucus moved a motion for the vote of censure against Mr Ofori-Atta.
Other members of the committee include Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings and Bernard Ahiafor from the Minority side, while Patrick Yaw Boamah, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi and Andrew Agyapa Mercer constitute the group from the Majority side on the committee.
The committee will have to present their report to the House in Seven (7) days, according to the Speaker of Parliament.
Mr. Bagbin stated that setting up the committee will provide a fair opportunity for the finance minister to respond to allegations raised against him.
Haruna Iddrisu in his presentation to the House stated that the record inflation rate, the depreciation of the cedi, the excessive borrowing and the reckless spending and the failure to control fuel prices are clear indications that the finance minister is not fit to continue in his role.
However, the Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin indicated that the call by the Minority Leader was in bad faith and not procedural.
According to him, issues raised by the Minority Leader borders on criminality. He said Parliament cannot arrogate to itself judicial powers to try the finance minister, and called on the Speaker to allow Mr Ofori-Atta to defend himself before any decision is made.
The Majority caucus in Parliament had earlier indicated their unwillingness to back the Minority’s vote of censure against the finance minister.
At a press conference held Thursday morning, the Majority group led by the MP for Effiduase/Asokore, Nana Ayew Afriyie said they have declined a request by the Minority to back a bid to remove Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, but said they would continue to push for his dismissal.
