The Minority in Parliament has expressed concerns regarding what has been described as undue delays by the Ministry of Finance in the release of funds allocated for the effective functioning of Parliament.

It has been indicated by the caucus that the continued withholding of these funds has resulted in the crippling of parliamentary committees, with numerous mandates now unable to be fulfilled due to a lack of financial resources.

The matter was raised on the floor of the House on Friday, 7th June, by the Chairman of the Assurances Committee and Member of Parliament for Bimbilla, Dominic Nitiwul, who called for the release of the requisite funds to be expedited by the Finance Minister for parliamentary work to be supported.

“Parliament is now literally being forced to beg for funds to allow its committees to operate. As a committee chair, access to funds required for the discharge of duties was not granted. A scheduled workshop was planned, yet not even a cedi was disbursed. Members across various committees have been made fully aware of the absence of financial resources. Why has a demand not been made for the release of the funds by the Finance Minister?” the MP questioned.

However, the claim was dismissed by the Majority Chief Whip, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, who maintained that no financial crisis is being faced by Parliament.

“It is being alleged that Parliament is struggling to do what exactly? Salaries and allowances of Members of Parliament have been paid. Funds have been released by the Finance Minister, and no official complaints have been submitted concerning non-payment,” he countered.