The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has said the House will not consider any business from the Finance Ministry until Ken Ofori-Atta, the sector minister appears to account for COVID funds received so far.
Bagbin’s comment follows the minister’s inability to attend to the House to answer questions filed by some Minority MPs.
He said, “I’ve given a directive and it was to the effect that the minister should appear before this House to account for monies that we approved for him to use to lead the country for us to see how we could see how we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“…And I did indicate that until that is done, a motion that requested of this House for more money to be given him [the finance minister] for the purpose of COVID-19 be on the hold until he answers the questions,” Bagbin said.
He added, “And I will go further to say that until he goes through the accountability process, we will not take that motion…
“Mark my words. Let me say that this House can decide that we will not allow a minister to present or lay business before the House …’’
Listen to Speaker Bagbin in the audio below:
The Speaker was invited to make the ruling after a clash between the Majority and the Minority on the minister’s absence from Parliament.
The Minority alleged that Ofori-Atta is deliberately shying away from accountability and has also exhibited gross disrespect to the House while the majority insisted that the minister’s absence is a result of an equally important national engagement.
Listen to the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, in the audio below:
Meanwhile, the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu disagreed that the House has the mandate to refrain from considering any business from the government.
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