The Minority in Parliament has accused the First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei-Owusu, of usurping the Speaker’s powers after he dismissed a motion calling for a probe into Covid-19 expenditure.
The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, and the Minority Chief Whip, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka and Minority spokesperson on Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, had filed a motion to Alban Bagbin, asking the House for a bi-partisan probe into the ¢8.1 billion expenditure by government.
That motion was admitted.
However, the First Deputy Speaker, who subsequently presided over proceedings in the House, dismissed the motion.
According to the Minority Caucus, the move sets a bad precedent for the governance of the country.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, argued that government is avoiding accountability.
“A Deputy Speaker presiding to serve nothing but a narrow partisan interest, I hope that he’s not impugning the authority and integrity of the Speaker, neither is he undermining the mandate and authority of the Speaker as a subordinate.”
“We are demanding transparency and accountability in the utilisation of Covid resources and we, simply, are telling the Ghanaian public that neither the Finance Minister nor minister responsible for sectors, including the Health Minister, has adequately accounted for the expenditure of Covid resources,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin says the probe is needless.
He explained that what the Minority is asking for has already been dealt with by the Public Accounts Committee.
“There is no way government of Ghana can take public funds, spend and hide those expenditures; it’s not possible. No matter what [comes up], the Auditor-General will have a look at it. Our colleagues are saying that their argument is mounted on inquiry.”
“What is the difference between inquiry and audit? I think an audit is the proper step to take to unravel any irregularity. They are saying as for audit, it’s the job of the Auditor-General but they are asking for inquiry; inquire for what?” he asked.
The Minority has called for the head of the Health Minister, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, for undertaking an international transaction without prior approval from Parliament.
In a Memo to the Speaker, the Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak, explained that the Dormaa Central MP’s action is contrary to Article 191 of the 1992 Constitution.
Therefore, the Minority wants the appointing authority to give him the sack.
According to the Minority, signing a procurement agreement with the “prior approval of the Board of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) under sections 40 and 41 of the PPA Act, 2003 (663) as amended by Act 914 constitutes a criminal offence under the law.”
They noted that considering that “the above conduct, being in direct breach of the Constitution and laws passed by this honourable House, the Health Minister be removed from office as a Minister by a vote of censure passed in accordance with Article 82 of the Constitution.”
Latest Stories
-
Family seeks justice for private security officer killed at Gomoa Akoti
1 hour -
2024 electoral violence: Mahama exerts pressure on IGP to finalise probe
2 hours -
Gong Gong Awards set to make waves worldwide as AAG Executive Director Isaac Cudjoe unveils global vision
2 hours -
Miracle in Madina: Woman declared dead in Hajj returns home, stirring community shock
5 hours -
Mobus CEO apologises to Nigerian Police over Abuja land row, distances firm from protest at Nigerian High Commission in Accra
7 hours -
Experts urge institutionalisation of evidence-based health policies in Ghana
7 hours -
Government to convert National Cathedral site into National Cultural Convention Centre
7 hours -
Former Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif loses sister
8 hours -
Ayoum community appeals for fixing of collapsed bridge to ease commuting
8 hours -
Full text: Mahama’s speech at the Post-Election Evaluation Dialogue
8 hours -
Kumasi: 545 police personnel pass out to support 24-hour economy
8 hours -
No Ghanaian child will be denied tertiary education because of fees – Mahama
9 hours -
Ghana, U.S. reaffirm strategic ties at 249th Independence Day celebration
9 hours -
Full text: Mahama’s speech at launch of No Fees Stress policy
9 hours -
President Mahama promises justice for electoral violence victims
9 hours