Prof John Gatsi, Dean of the University of Cape Coast Business School, believes the Ghanaian government's reputation is tarnished by the finance minister's repeated failure to come before parliament to answer for the government's COVID spending.
According to him, the Akufo-Addo administration must pay close attention to whether the minister seems to offer data on how monies were used, given that Ghana got assistance from outside sources to battle COVID.
After the minister, Ken Ofori Atta, failed to appear again to answer 16 questions, including how COVID monies were spent, the speaker of parliament, Alban Bagbin, has imposed a ban on all activity from Ghana's finance ministry.
"Yes, [his attendance in parliament] was not feasible last week for good reasons, and the Business Committee is normally given the chance to perform the allotting." So today was set aside for the Minister of Finance to come in and address a few questions. We've been notified that the Minister is unavailable today.
"The Minister explained why he is not accessible today, but before today, I issued a directive requiring the Minister to appear before this House to account for funds that we allowed for him to use to lead the country as a ministry while we assess our response to the Covid-19 epidemic."
"Many issues have been raised in this regard, and he should come to account to the good people for how his Ministry has used state resources to serve the people." I did say that until that is done, the motion requesting the permission of this house for further funds to be provided to him, that is his ministry, for the purpose of Covid-19 would be put on wait until he answers the questions, and I believe that still remains true.
"I'll go even farther and say that we won't move that motion until we have an explanation, unless he goes through the accountability process." In terms of the questions, he has another request for us today, which we will discuss.
We will not entertain any business from that ministry, mark my words, until he comes to react to the inquiries and submit the statement, given explanation, as to how that money has been utilized," Mr Bagbin added.
Prof Gatsi said 3FM that any additional delay would only serve to warn partners that assist the Ghanaian administration to label the country as one of those who mismanaged COVID monies in other regions of Africa.
"The government should consider the significance of this development, as well as any obligations it may impose on the Finance Minister, who is unable to attend to Parliament's demand."
"He should make it a priority to come to parliament because it does not reflect well on the government." We're here to help.
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