Executive Director of Parliamentary Network Africa, Sammy Obeng, has disclosed that K. T Hammond, Member of Parliament for Adansi-Asokwa and the Co-chair for the censure motion committee against finance minister, can do better in his chairing of the committee.
According to him, although friction between the majority side and minority is to be expected, the conduct of Mr Hammond leaves a lot to be desired. He revealed that people were very much concerned about the “mannerism and the approach” used by K. T Hammond.
“I think that if there was a low point in the whole procedure during yesterday’s session, it will be that particular side. I think that he and his Co-chair, once they go into the conclave would be able to recognize this and will come and have a better show at things, especially the coordination between the two co-chair persons. Of course, if you have a parliamentary committee being co-chaired by two members from either sides of the House, certainly you’d expect that you’ll have some of these things coming up. But certainly, Honorable K. T Hammond could do better.”
Sammy Obeng
Commenting on the first day of proceedings, Mr Obeng stated that in his estimation, it was a good day as it offered the committee the moment to explain to the general public as well as the parties involved what the procedure for the hearing is going to be.
Additionally, he explained that it was equally a good opportunity for the proponent of the motion to set out the terms of the motions and to explain the seven points they had captured in the motion.
“I think that the finance minister and his Counsel, were also forceful in indicating how much time they will need to go through the various documents that have been tended in evidence on the matter and they were also successful in getting the 48 hours.”
Sammy Obeng
Counsel for finance minister’s conduct
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Murtala Mohammed, has described Counsel for the Finance Minister, Gabby Otchere-Darko, as arrogant during the first day investigations into the conduct of Mr Ofori-Atta by the 8-member ad hoc committee.
“The conduct of [Gabby Otchere-Darko] was very appalling and bizarre. He came across as a very arrogant person who disrespected Parliament. That statement that the minister is leading IMF negotiations… he could have put it in a better way and that was why KT Hammond, co-chair of the committee had issues with it. What we are doing in Parliament is as important as the IMF negotiations.”
Murtala Mohammed
His comment followed Mr Otchere-Darko’s statement during the hearing on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, that because the Finance Minister was leading the negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), he sought to ask the committee to expedite action. The Counsel for the finance minister later apologized after an objection was raised by North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who is also a member of the committee.
The 8-member committee is expected to end public sitting on Friday, November 18, with the rest of the days allocated to drafting a report for the Speaker.
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