The Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, has called on Parliament to strengthen its oversight functions and address its internal funding challenges to enhance its effectiveness.
The lawmaker made the remarks on the floor of Parliament when the House was considering the appropriations for Parliament.
He cited page 9 of the committee’s report, particularly paragraph 9.2, which discusses the establishment of constituency offices for Members of Parliament.
The Minister recounted that during his time serving on the Parliamentary Board, the intention was that once these offices were constructed, MPs would have liaison officers who would bridge communication between the constituency and Parliament.
He has therefore called on Parliament to evaluate itself and confront its funding crisis.
He noted that the House must continue to play its crucial role in oversight, including budget and financial scrutiny.
He commended Dr Cassiel Ato Forson for the budget he presented, indicating that the proposal for a Value for Money Office was a good one; however, there was the need for the House to complement this with a dedicated Budget Responsibility Office.
This he believes aligns with international best practices and would strengthen the institution’s ability to scrutinise national finances.
Hon. Iddrisu urged Parliament to assert its authority in approving budgets and financial statements, criticising the current practice of merely commenting on the budget.
He emphasised Parliament’s mandate under Article 179 of the Constitution, particularly regarding supplementary estimates.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
