The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has said that the issues listed by the Minority in Parliament for the censure motion against him do not constitute matters that should lead to his dismissal.
“The proponents’ allegations do not have weight for censure,” Mr. Ofori-Atta said on Friday when he appeared before the ad hoc committee of Parliament probing the motion.
The sector minister denied all the grounds on which he has been accused of contributing to the country’s economic hardships.
According to the minister, the claims are false as he had complied with every laid down regulation in his role as Minister of Finance.
He pointed out that it was rather the action of the Minority in Parliament in 2021 that created chaos, leading to mistrust and subsequent withdrawals by investors.
“I have not been reckless in the management of the fiscal operations of the government. Hon Co-Chairs, the ground of recklessness presupposes that I have not been guided by the laid-down regulations. I want to state that I have not been reckless in the management of the fiscal operations of the government.
“Rather, our strenuous efforts to protect the public purse is what has helped this government to have achieved much, much more than any government over a similar period in virtually all sectors, including education, health, social welfare, policing, security in general, roads, railways, agriculture, industrialisation, tourism, digitization, and funding for anti-corruption institutions,” he stressed.
The sector minister has maintained that every action of his was first discussed with Parliament and approval granted before implementation.
“On all those occasions, I received approval as Parliament subsequently passed Appropriations Bills for all those budgets. Every key expenditure made has been supported by this House.
“Indeed, we all saw the dire consequences when the House, for months, refused to pass a major revenue generation item introduced by this government to support the fiscal stability of the economy.
“Sadly, the Minority Leader, when this government was compelled to approach the fund this year, triumphantly took credit for frustrating the government’s efforts to meet its half-year revenue targets,” Mr Ofori-Atta pointed out.
Background
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.
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 are co-chairing the committee.
The Minority in Parliament stated the following as the basis for which Mr Ofori-Atta should be removed:
1. Despicable conflict of interest ensuring that he directly benefits from Ghana’s economic woes as his companies receive commissions and other unethical contractual advantages, particularly from Ghana’s debt overhang.
2. Unconstitutional withdrawals from the consolidated fund in blatant contravention of Article 178 of the 1992 constitution, supposedly for the construction of the President’s Cathedral.
3. Illegal payment of oil revenues into offshore accounts in flagrant violation of Article 176 of the 1992 constitution.
4. Deliberate and dishonest misreporting of economic data to Parliament.
5. Fiscal recklessness, leading to the crash of the Ghana cedi, which is currently the worst-performing currency in the world.
6. Alarming incompetence and frightening ineptitude, resulting in the collapse of the Ghanaian economy and an excruciating cost of living crisis.
7. Gross mismanagement of the Ghanaian economy, which has occasioned untoward and unprecedented hardship.