Speaker Alban Bagbin has instituted an eight-member committee to look into the censure motion filed by the Minority in Parliament to facilitate

the dismissal of Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.

On Thursday, the Minority, led by Tamale South MP, Haruna Iddrisu, moved a censure motion against Mr Ofori-Atta despite calls by the Majority to have the Minister present to defend himself.

Following a heated debate, Speaker Bagbin decided on establishing an ad hoc committee spearheaded by two co-chairmen, MP for Bolga East, Dominic Ayine and Adansi-Asokwa legislator, Kobina Tahir Hammond, to look into the matter.

The Speaker came to the decision in accordance with Order 106 of the Standing Order, which states, “The House may pass a resolution to remove the President, the Vice President, Mr. Speaker, and Deputy Speakers, and a vote of censure on a Minister of State.”

“The House may consider such motion and come to a decision or refer it to a committee on a motion made by any member,” it continues.

In his submission, Speaker Bagbin directed the committee to report to the House in the next seven days.

Other members of the committee include North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Klottey-Korle, the Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings,

and Okaikoi North MP, Emmanuel Ahiaku, from the Minority side.

Representatives from the majority side are Okaikwei Central MP, Yaw Boamah, Asante-Akim Central legislator, Kwame Anyimadu-

Antwi, and Sekondi MP, Egyapa Mercer. The clerk to the committee is Mr Boamah Camilo, the Speaker added.

On October 25, 2022, the Minority in Parliament filed a censure motion against the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.

This occurred at the same time that the majority MPs, numbering around 80, held a press conference to demand the removal of the

Finance Minister and Minister of State in charge of Finance at the Ministry of Finance, Charles Adu Boahen, for their inability to manage the economy.

However, the NPP MPs have failed to support the NDC MPs in their quest. The Majority explained that their justification for the Minister’s

removal does not tally with that of the Minority’s.

“Over a few days, we have had the Finance Minister speaking, and his Ghana to receive $50m for carbon emission

reduction speaking has informed the Majority not only to state that we are back to the original position that we took and that original position is to say that the Minister of Finance will not be the one to read the budget and its appropriation.”

“However, we are not going to support the cause of the NDC in the chamber this morning. The cause of the NDC is premised on falsehood,

propaganda and reasons that are not justifiable. Their position might look like ours but it is not the same,” the Majority said.

Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has asked that the Finance Minister be allowed to complete Ghana’s negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and present the 2023 budget and economic statement.