The Member of Parliament for Builsa South Dr. Clement Apaak, has said the failure of Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta can best be described as disrespectful and grounds for him to be punished.
The lawmaker says the Minister is the only personality who has failed to appear before the Public Accounts Committee since he was appointed by the President.
“Ofori-Atta is the only Minister yet to appear in person before the Public Accounts Committee the 7th Parliament and to the current 8th Parliament, 5 years, to answer AG queries.
He sends deputies with all kinds of excuses. I expect PAC to compel him to appear when we start looking at the 2019/2020 AG report on MDAs.”
He was responding to the Minister’s failure to appear before the House within the week to respond to some 16 questions including that of the Covid-19 expenditure.
The Minority in Parliament on Thursday expressed their displeasure at the Minister for failing to show up to answer pending questions.
The Minority complained that the questions had been advertised in the name of Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta in the Order Paper since June 2022.
But he has failed to appear before the House.
Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu also raised concerns over what he says is Ken Ofori-Atta’s constant seeming disregard for parliament.
He averred that the minister failed to show respect to the House as he comes to the House as and when he deems fit and convenient.
Speaking on the floor of the House on Thursday June 16, the minority leader said its disappointing the minister has failed to show up in the House to account for how the COVID-19 fund monies had been utilized since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020.
“The finance minister must demonstrate respect to the parliament of Ghana. He cannot be coming as at when he chooses or when he is available. This is parliament he is elected; we are not appointed to be siting. He can be dismissed tomorrow and we will be here,” Haruna Iddrisu said on the floor of the House.
Ken Ofori-Atta last Thursday failed to appear before the House despite being scheduled to respond to some queries from MPs.
“Definitely, Wednesday will be a day he will have to answer all the questions and respond to the outstanding issues accounting for the utilization of the COVID-19 money. I hope the majority leader who is responsible for government business will communicate to the Minister responsible for Finance.”
Dr. Apaak in his submission noted that “the Finance Minister has by his actions has shown that he has no regard for Parliament. Yet the NPP side defends him all the time.
We have filed questions to him going back 8 months ago, he is yet to appear before Parliament to answer.
The last time we expected him as programmed, he rather held a press event outside Parliament announcing government measures to mitigate the economic nosedive the nation faces, he said.
He added “On that day we expected him in Parliament, to answer questions, and then speak about the mitigation measures.
Get this, since I was assigned to the Public Accounts Committee, from the 7th Parliament to the current 8th Parliament, Ken Ofori-Atta is yet to appear before PAC to answer to queries brought against his Ministry and its agencies by the Auditor General, as his colleagues do. He has always sent his deputies. I’ve urged the Public Accounts Committee to take a stand and, not accept that from him anymore.
So the disquiet from our side, and now the Speaker is not without basis.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana