The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, angrily vowed that the House will not consider engaging the Finance Ministry in any business until the sector Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta availed himself to account for the Covid-19 funds received so far.
He made the sworn statement on Thursday, 16 June 2022, on the floor of Parliament following the Minister’s failure to show up to answer questions filed by some Minority MPs.
“I have given a directive and it was to the effect that the minister should appear before this House to account for monies that we approved for him to use to lead the country, that is his ministries for us to see how we could see how we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“A lot of questions have been raised in respect of that so he should come and account to his group people of how that state resource has been applied by his ministry to the benefit of the people.
“And I did indicate that until that is done, a motion that requested the approval of this House for more money to be given him that is finance ministry and not him in person for the purpose of COVID-19 be on the hold until he answers the questions and I think that still holds,” the Speaker said.
Alban Bagbin maintained that “until he [, Ken Ofori-Atta] goes through the accountability process, we will not take that motion.. today, he has another request before us and that will also be affected.”
“Mark my words. Let me say that this House can decide that we will not allow a Minister to present or lay business before the House depending on the conduct of the minister.
“Until he comes to respond to the questions and to submit the statement giving an explanation as to how the money has been applied, we will not entertain any business from that Ministry,” he declared.
The Speaker directed the Business Committee of the House to reschedule the questions together with other outstanding business matters to Wednesday, June 22, 2022.
