The eight-member parliamentary ad hoc committee constituted to probe the censure motion filed against Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, has presented its report to Parliament.
This follows the committee’s request for more time from the Speaker of Parliament to conclude the report after the hearing was finalised on Friday, November 18, 2022.
The Speaker initially offered the committee seven days to probe allegations brought against the Finance Minister by the Minority in Parliament.
Some of the allegations raised by the Minority are the unconstitutional withdrawal of funds from the consolidated fund for the National Cathedral project, gross mismanagement of the economy, and financial recklessnesses leading to the collapse of the Ghana Cedi.
Although the committee could not meet the seven-day deadline, it has finally laid the report before Parliament.
The committee chairman is expected to move the motion for a debate on it subsequently.
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 insisted 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 Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, subsequently 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, was 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 committee co-chairs.
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.