The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, was supposed to appear in Parliament today to address concerns about how COVID-19 monies were spent, but that was postponed.
It came after the Minister for Parliament requested that the appointment be postponed owing to other commitments.
Parliament has called the Minister to account for COVID-19 money, as well as address 16 other questions from Members of Parliament (MPs).
When the Chairman of Parliament's Finance Committee, Kwaku Kwarteng, moved a motion for the approval of €75 million for the COVID-19 health response project on Thursday, May 26, 2022, the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban S.K. Bagbin, said that the House would only consider the loan after the Minister of Finance had given his approval.
given information on how past loans were put to use
The Speaker stated that this was the sixth time the Finance Minister had been called by Parliament to appear and address issues raised on the floor of the House, but had failed to do so.
If the Finance Minister fails to appear before the House to answer for how the COVID-19 funds were spent, the Speaker stated Parliament will utilize its powers.
Questions that require immediate attention
The Finance Minister must respond to urgent questions from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for Wa East, Godfred Seidu Jasaw; the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Ablekuma North, Sheila Bartels; the NPP MP for Bortianor-Ngleshie-Amanfro, Sylvester Tetteh; and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for Wa East, Godfred Seidu Jasaw.
Edward Abambire Bawa, the NDC's Bongo Member of Parliament.
Mr. Jasaw wants to know when the Ministry of Finance will give the Ministry of Food and Agriculture financial clearance to clear debts owed partners and suppliers so that subsidised fertiliser is available during the farming season, while Ms. Bartels wants to know the current status of funding for Phase Two of the Tema Motorway, which has been highlighted as a major issue for commuters.
Mr Tetteh's question is about the actions the Ministry of Finance is doing to combat the prolonged increases in gasoline prices seen in recent pricing windows, while Mr Bawa's question is about what the Ministry of Finance is doing to combat the consistent increases in fuel prices.
is working to reduce the rate of growth in petroleum product prices at the pump as a result of imposed taxes and levies on petroleum goods, as well as the cedi's depreciation.
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