Political Scientist and Fellow at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) Ghana, Dr. John Osae-Kwapong has described the censure motion hearing against Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta as a political process.

This, he said explains the heckling and interjections by some members of the committee during the hearing within the week.

According to him, such conduct by members of the Committee particularly the Chairman, K.T. Hammond has made the process frustrating.

“This is a political process, and in a political process political passions turn to go up…at some point in the process, you see the heckling, you see the interruptions, you see the clashes here and there, but again it is a very political process and so I can see how a very political process will sometimes have all these emotions… I know the heckling and interruptions have been frustrating,” he told Samson Lardy on Newsfile, Saturday.

An Adhoc Committee was tasked by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin to within seven days, consider the Minority’s censure motion against Ken Ofori-Atta.

The Committee has already begun its hearing with the Finance Minister and some Minority members testifying before the Committee.

However, during the live telecast of the hearing, members of the Committee at some point were seen in heated exchanges with each other.

North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa also clashed with counsel for the embattled Finance Minister, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko at the censure motion hearing on Tuesday. 

The North Tongu MP had questioned the witnesses for the Minority in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu and Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson on the issue of the National Cathedral and payments made so far.

But Gabby Otchere-Darko interjected and suggested that Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa organises a press conference and address such matters there.

“He can hold a press conference and deal with that, but I think that we are here for a specific reason, grounds have been stated. Let us stick to that. It is not a political platform to make some political pronouncement,” Gabby Otchere-Darko vehemently indicated.

The Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee who is also a member of the Ad hoc committee did not take the comments from Gabby lightly.

“He will not teach me how to do my work in Parliament. You will not teach me how to do my work. He cannot come here and throw his weight about. I take strong exception that I should go and hold a press conference. I will not accept that. You are not the Chair and you will not tell Members of Parliament what to do,” Ablakwa replied Gabby.

The Committee is expected to finalise its hearing and present its report to the House next week.