Parliament has directed the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mahama Ayariga to feed Parliament within two weeks the cost involved in catering for the Black Stars in the 2014 World Cup held in June.
The first Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Ebo Barton Odro issued the directive after the minister failed to furnish the House with the details.
The Member of Parliament for Ablekuma North, Justice Joe Appiah had sought through a question on the floor to know the expenses incurred during the national team’s participation in the competition that Ghana performed abysmally and received lots of bad press.
However Hon Ayariga failed to give any figures with the explanation that a Presidential Commision is still in the process of probing Ghana’s involvement in the tournament and other related issues and that Parliament must allow the commission to complete its work before detailed accounts can be made public.
Sports Minister, Mahama Ayariga
His answer did not sit down well with some of the MPs especially the Minority caucus.
They claimed that the Sports Minister’s action seeks to undermine Parliament and indeed it’s an affront to the Legislature and must not be entertained.
Hon. Speaker after hearing the arguments on the floor asserted that the question being asked on the floor is legitimate hence directed the Minister to re-appear on the floor in a fortnight with detailed answers.
Kwadwo Anim/Ghanamps.gov.gh