Ad hoc Committee Sittings Probing Ofori-Atta’s Censure Motion To Be Televised Live
The 8-member Ad-hoc Committee constituted to probe the truth or otherwise of the allegations made by the Minority in Parliament per their motion of censure, against Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, started its sittings today, November 15.
The proceedings of the Committee are being telecast live.
A member of the Committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa revealed this in a Twitter post on Monday, November 14.
According to him, the live telecast is to allow the Committee to be transparent to the citizenry.
“The Ken Ofori-Atta Vote of Censure Parliamentary Committee will commence sittings tomorrow 15/11/22 at 11 am. It’s an absolute delight to announce that the Committee shall sit in public & all proceedings will be broadcast live in the true spirit of transparency and accountability,” he said.
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 & all proceedings will be broadcast live in the true spirit of transparency & accountability.
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) November 14, 2022
Background
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, referred the vote of a censure motion against Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta to an ad hoc committee of Parliament.
The committee, composed of eight members, with four from each side of the House, is expected to submit its report for consideration within seven days.
NDC Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga East, Dominic Ayine, and NPP MP for Adansi-Asokwa KT Hammond will co-chair the committee.
Also, the minister who has come under the limelight for the wrong reasons will be given the opportunity to defend himself before the committee with counsel.
“The matter will be referred to an ad hoc committee to be investigated. The evidence will be placed before the committee. The minister will have the opportunity to defend himself. A report will be presented to the House, and we will debate that report,” Bagbin directed.
Mr. Bagbin gave the directive after the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, moved the motion for the vote of censure on Thursday, November 10, 2022.
It will be recalled that on October 25, 2022, the Minority in Parliament filed a censure motion against the Finance Minister in compliance with Article 82 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
The Minority explained that the decision was based on the “alarming incompetence resulting in the collapse of the Ghanaian economy” and some ethical breaches.
Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu insists the record inflation rate, depreciation of the cedi, excessive borrowing, reckless spending, and the failure to control fuel prices are clear indications that the Finance Minister is not fit to continue in his role.
Although the majority had earlier declared its support, it made a u-turn, claiming the Minority’s motive for removing Ofori-Atta is ill-intended and ultimately differs from their demands.