The the Ad-hoc Committee formed by Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin to ascertain whether allegations levelled by the Minority against Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, are true or not is expected to commence its sitting on Tuesday, November 15, 2022.
A member of the committee, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the MP for North Tongu Constituency, has disclosed that procedings of the Committee will be telecasted live.
Hon. Ablakwa revealed that the live telecast is to ensure that, proceedings are transparent.
“The Ken Ofori-Atta Vote of Censure Parliamentary Committee will commence sittings tomorrow 15/11/22 at 11am. It’s an absolute delight to announce that the Committee shall sit in public and all proceedings will be broadcast live in the true spirit of transparency and accountability.”
Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin on Thursday, November 10, constituted a 8-member ad hoc committee to investigate the accusations of the minority caucus against Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta in its vote censure motion.
The 8-member committee is co-chaired by Adansi-Asokwa MP, K.T. Hammond, and Dr. Dominic Ayine, Bolgatanga East MP.
Members of the committe from the majority side are: MP for Okaikwei Central, Patrick Yaw Boamah, MP for Asante Akim Central, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi and Sekondi MP, Andrew Agyapa Mercer.
Those from the minority group are: North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for Korley Klottey, Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings and MP for Akatsi South, Bernard Ahiafor.
The Task of the Ad-hoc Committee
In the minority caucus’ censure motion against the Minister of Finance and Economic planning, it made seven (7) allegations against the Minister.
The allegations were: conflict of interest, unconstitutional withdrawals from the Consolidated Fund, illegal payment of oil revenues into offshore accounts, deliberate and dishonest misreporting of economic data to Parliament, fiscal recklessness, alarming incompetence and gross mismanagement of the Ghanaian economy.
During the official moving of the censure motion on the floor of Parliament, Speaker of the house, Alban Bagbin, indicated that he will put together an ad-hoc committee with the responsibility of probing the allegations.
“What I can do at this time is to allow the motion to be seconded and I will give opportunity for it to be responded to by our standing orders which I can interpret. The matter will be referred to an ad hoc committee to be investigated.”
Alban Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament
According to the Speaker, all evidence of the minority that backs their claims, are to be discussed at the committee level.
The Speaker also asked that the Minister of Finance be given an opportunity to defend himself, in the course of the proceedings of the committee.
He further intimated that, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta could even appear before the committee with a Lawyer if he so desires.
The committee was tasked to complete its assignment within seven (7) days.
After which it is expected to submit a report to the house for discussions at plenary. Then, a decision will be taken.
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