News:
March 14, 2019
The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta is expected to appear before Parliament tomorrow, Wednesday March 13, 2019 in response to pertinent issues bothering the minds of some Members of Parliament.
This follows an order by the Speaker, Prof Aaron Michael Oquaye after the Minister failed to appear before the House to answer those pertinent questions standing in the name of some members of parliament on the financial sector.
Some four questions have been advertised severally on the Order Paper but the minister has not been appearing to answer those questions.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Krachi East, Michael Gyato wanted to know from the Minister the amount of money that is paid on every GHC100 transaction on mobile money transfer and whether the payment is made at the point of deposit, withdrawal or both.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central, Isaac Adongo also wanted to find out how much has the government paid to GCB Bank for the takeover of selected assets and liabilities of UT and Capital Banks and provide the full details of terms and conditions of any instrument used for the payments.
The Bolgatanga Central MP also wanted to find out from the Minister why the GCB Bank has not filed its audited financial statements with the Bank of Ghana and the Ghana Stock Exchange as at May 21, 2018.
The deputy minority leader, James Klutse Avedzi had complained bitterly about the failure of the Minister of Finance to appear again to answer those important questions.
He was not happy Ministers of Finance find time to present budget statements and sometimes comes to listen to debate on financial matters in the House but cannot find time to answer questions in parliament which is also very paramount.
The deputy majority leader, Sarah Adwoa Safo in explaining the absence of the Minister of Finances said there was a miscommunication between the leadership and the Minister and so the Minister tentatively wrote to the leadership and said that he would be available to answer those questions on March 13 because he has travelled out of the country on an official assignment.
The speaker therefore ordered that Minister must appear on the said date as communicated to the House.
By Christian Kpesese/ ghanamps.com