Parliament too partisan, Ofori-Atta’s removal impossible – Prof Abdulai
Professor David Abdulai, a senior advisor of the African Parliamentarian Network Against Corruption (APNAC), has questioned if Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta should be removed from office.
This comes after the Minister failed to appear before the House of Commons to account for the COVID-19 monies.
Professor Abdulai believes that the Minority Caucus’ demands for the Minister’s dismissal will be fruitless since Ghana’s “parliament is too politicized.”
Professor Abdulai remarked in an interview with Komla Lumor on 505 News on Class91.3FM on Thursday, June 16, 2022, that “if there was anything else in the world, either he would quit, but the fact that there is this perception that he is the president’s cousin, he is untouchable, is enough.”
Professor Abdulai commented on the minister’s failure to come before the House, saying, “his absence is creating a perception that he has something to hide.”
As a result, he encouraged the Finance Minister to testify before the House of Commons in order to maintain transparency.
He went on to say that the minister’s actions may have an impact on the country’s democracy in the future, and that the country cannot continue to tolerate such obstinacy from its citizens.
The Minority Caucus in parliament has called for the expulsion of Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, claiming that his continued tenure in office, despite his poor performance, serves the president’s interests rather than the people of Ghana.
The finance minister was due to answer concerns in Parliament about the government’s spending since the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, as well as provide details on how much tax payers’ money has been spent on the national cathedral’s construction thus far.
Meanwhile, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has stated that no business from the Finance Ministry would be considered until the Finance Minister appears before the House.
Source: Class91.3FM
By: Christina Nana Adjoa Acquah
acquahchristina309@gmail.com