MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has questioned the leadership of the Business Committee of Parliament over the failure of Finance Minister, Ken Ofori -Atta, to appear before the House to answer questions on President Akufo-Addo's recent foreign travel expenditure.
The NDC MP and Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee in a Facebook post accused President Akufo-Addo of ostentatious spending even as the country goes through economic hardship.
According to Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, per his findings and calculations, the President 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 Ghana.
Subsequently, Mr Ablakwa filed a question in Parliament, requesting for a probe into the President’s travel.
Defense Minister, Dominic Nitiwul reported to the House and responded to the first question admitted by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin on June 1, 2021, but the Finance Minister is yet to present himself before the House.
On the day he was expected to answer his part of the question, the Finance Minister requested for more time to furnish the House with the cost of President Akufo-Addo’s foreign trips.
On Friday, July 9, when he was still out of sight to give his answer, Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa questioned the leadership of the Business Committee on why Mr. Ofori-Atta has not appeared before the House.
He stated that the House must consider the delay as an affront to the legislative arm of government.
“On the 1st of July, I wrote a memo to the Business Committee, drawing attention that if care is not taken, it will appear as though there is a Minister who is above our standing orders and above the laws of this country who can keep asking for more time in perpetuity. Nobody knows what ‘more time’ means. I have gone through the business statement and again that question is conspicuously missing. Can the honourable Majority Leader tell this House what is going on?” Mr. Ablakwa said.
"And this business of more time, more time, no specific timelines and we are not told anything, this is not acceptable!”
“It is totally wrong. So Mr Speaker I want to find out from the Deputy Majority leader what is happening?,” he said.
Latest Stories
-
Marrakech 2024: Five para-athletes to represent Ghana in WPA Grand Prix in Morocco
11 mins -
U.S Senate approves bill to ban TikTok
19 mins -
T-Pain involved in hit-and-run, warns culprit he’ll find them
28 mins -
Cedi hits GH¢14.00 to a dollar; depreciates 12.08%
30 mins -
Major portions of Kasoa-Winneba road to open to traffic in 8 months
33 mins -
Kwadaso onion traders reject new location, express fear over future eviction
47 mins -
Pensions: 81% of pensioners had benefit shortfalls in 2020 – Abdallah Mashud
50 mins -
All Regional Games: Torch relay ceremony hits Oti Region
52 mins -
CSO calls for immediate removal of COCOBOD CEO from office
58 mins -
How a young female geologist’s thesis is paving the way for Ghana’s Green Mineral Future 5 decades later
1 hour -
Pensions: The last time government paid Tier-2 funds was in June 2023 – Angel Carbonu
1 hour -
Submit audited statements by May or face sanctions – Akufo-Addo warns heads of SOEs
1 hour -
Samuel Inkoom’s SIFMA hold successful football tournament
1 hour -
Propak propelling growth of Ghana’s manufacturing industry for exports
1 hour -
Academic curriculum must reflect industry needs – Stanbic Bank CEO
2 hours