Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, says the Minority rejects the “Value for Money Office Bill” proposed by Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson, adding that they will not be part of what he termed as “unholy acts.”
The bill seeks to establish a new body to regulate and promote value-for-money assessments in public expenditure and procurement.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, he warned that the proposed office risks becoming a conduit for corruption if passed in its current form.
He highlighted that the way the bill is structured will not work, noting that the institutions the bill seeks to emulate are not subject to government control and expressed concern about the proposed method of appointing the board, which he said will be in accordance with Article 70 of the Constitution.
“The minority will not rubberstamp this bill if the majority will not listen to these strong views and take them on board and rabel pre amendment of existing laws, we the mighty few wash our hands, we will jot be part of this unholy acts that will rather expose the state and make the state vulnerable,” he stated.
He argued that the government should instead strengthen existing laws to ensure proper oversight.
“I am not just opposing you, but what you are doing is wrong, you are also talking about 195 of the constitution, why don’t we allow the existing laws to operate, strengthen them. Don’t open this one app because if you open this app there will be corruption,” he stated.
Source: Vanessa Elizabeth Nkum
