The Minority will not abandon its pursuit of the censure motion to have Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta dismissed from the Ministry, according to Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu.
The Caucus, he said, is in for the long haul and will insist the letter and spirit of Article 82 are fully respected and an outcome determined by a secret vote after debate on the Committee’s report is submitted to plenary.
The Minority leader disclosed these to the media in Parliament on Wednesday, November 23 after the Majority side seeking dismissal of the Minister was coerced by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to rescind their decision.
A joint statement issued after a meeting of the NPP party executives, the council of elders, and the MPs indicate Ken Ofori-Atta will be allowed to present the budget and also lead the Appropriation, after which discussion for his retention or dismissal at the Ministry will be discussed.
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, however, argued this U-turn by the NPP rebel MPs is a betrayal of the oversight responsibility of Parliament.
He indicated that when the Minority embarked on the constitutional journey warranted and guaranteed under the 1992 Constitution under Article 82, it was not oblivious to the fact it needs the support and cooperation from the Majority side to succeed.
He said, “When we initiated the motion we firmly and sincerely believed our friends opposite will walk the talk with us and not just make radio and tv interview declarations but will manifest in supporting us on the floor of Parliament and exercise of a secret vote as required under Article 82.”
“We cannot but feel let down and betrayed and for me, it is a stab to parliamentary oversight and only weakens Parliament in exercising its oversight in calling Minister to order.”
“That’s very disappointing and that means that the Parliament of Ghana is failing the Ghanaian citizens and failing to protect the public purse,” he added.
Haruna Iddrisu indicated what the majority MPs will do with respect to the Finance Minister’s presentation tomorrow will determine the response of the Minority.
He assured the country will not necessarily be grounded to a halt by an irresponsible minority because workers will have to be paid from a budget and the private sector will have to be assured and given an assurance from a budget.
The Minority, he said, is looking at the substance and not the form of the engagement but stressed they do not have faith and confidence in Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta.
The Minority leader noted that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will go down in history under the 4th Republic as the President who most disrespected public opinion.
According to him, as far as the Minority is concerned public opinion is not supportive of the continuous stay in office his failing, beleaguered, and lame-duck Minister of Finance.