Audio By Carbonatix
Minority in Parliament is accusing government of running away from accountability.
This comes after Finance Minister, on Thursday, failed to provide answers on how much President Akufo-Addo’s latest foreign trips cost the taxpayer in Parliament.
Ken Ofori-Atta was billed to appear to answer questions on the issue, but he has requested for more time.
Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa says the delay tactics appear to be efforts to conceal the truth.
"Now we’ve brought them to a more appropriate forum where they are constitutional bound to be accountable and there are all of these delayed tactics."
The President had earlier being accused by the Minority of ostentatious spending even as the country goes through economic hardship.
Per their calculations, President Akufo-Addo spent £345,000, i.e. ¢2,828,432.80 at the current exchange rate in flight cost during his nine-day visit to France, Belgium, South Africa, and back to the country.
Speaking after the failure to appear, Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa indicated that "this is a pinnacle of luxury" adding that "this is about protecting the public purse."
"It must strike you as very strange because really what do they have to hide. It’s as though something is happening behind the scenes and they need time to complete whatever they are doing," he stressed.
Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa further argued that "these are not the tenets of accountability of good governance, if you have nothing to hide if you don’t need to buy time to do something untoward you just respond."
But Majority Chief Whip in Parliament Frank Annor Dompreh says the Minister of Finance has nothing to hide.
“If a member has a question regardless whether the question has been advertised for in the other paper or not, you have the responsibility to follow up at the Speaker’s secretariat especially where your leader has told you that the question has been deferred because answers are not ready."
He added that in his view, “it is preemptive and quite unnecessary for a member to hold a press conference and begin to read meaning to words as if the minister was afraid to come and answer the questions not knowing the minister was in the house today he answered a similar question.”
Latest Stories
-
Africa’s 1.3bn market will shape 21st century global economy – Mahama
11 minutes -
We look forward to making sure government executes its promises – Manhyia South, MP
14 minutes -
Russia hits Ukraine energy sites in ‘most powerful blow’ so far this year
21 minutes -
‘Where are the jobs?’ — Minority slams government over youth unemployment
26 minutes -
Russian hits Ukraine energy sites in ‘most powerful blow’ so far this year
34 minutes -
2nd edition of Canada-Africa Agribusiness Summit set for July 15–16
34 minutes -
Kwadaso MCE warns artisans against burning refuse following mechanic shop fire
35 minutes -
Banks courting firms with cheaper loans as interest rates ease – Majority Leader
36 minutes -
Constitutional reform is about people, not law
36 minutes -
FirstBank opens two new branches at Dzorwulu and North Industrial Area to deepen SME and Retail Banking Services
50 minutes -
2 banks remain undercapitalised as of December 2025 – BoG
52 minutes -
Joint bank accounts can spark conflict in marriages – Kweku Frimpong
56 minutes -
Scheduled exit from IMF programme, others could influence capital flows, exchange rate dynamics – BoG Governor
57 minutes -
Kwame Sowu Jnr urges focus on commercial interests over social interests for wealth creation
58 minutes -
Paris prosecutors raid France offices of Elon Musk’s X
1 hour
