The Minority caucus in Parliament has characterized the reassignment of Obuasi West MP, Kwaku Kwarteng, from his role as Chairman of the Finance Committee as an “overthrow” engineered by the Majority leadership.

This follows an unexpected announcement by Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin regarding changes in the majority leadership, which surprised some Majority MPs.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Friday, June 28, the Majority Leader revealed that Kwaku Kwarteng had been moved from the Finance Committee to chair the new Economy Committee.

He justified this decision by emphasizing Mr. Kwarteng’s competence in handling economic matters and his ability to effectively challenge the opposition’s representative on economic issues.

“We are challenging you to come up with your spokesperson on the economy. You have not said so officially, but we are going to make sure we have a spokesperson on the economy to challenge your Adonko. Hon. Kwaku Kwarteng is going to face him directly on the economy,” Mr Afenyo-Markin stated.

In response, the Minority in Parliament has condemned the reshuffle.

Addressing the House on Friday, June 28, Deputy Minority Leader Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah contended that the move was unconstitutional, alleging that the Majority Leader had overstepped his authority by taking powers reserved for the Speaker of Parliament to make such changes.

“He’s the Majority Leader, and he should know better not to usurp the power of the Speaker, the Chairman of the Committee of Selection and to come here to simply announce without the knowledge of the Speaker.

“..The existing Chairman of the Finance Committee without the knowledge of the Speaker, without a meeting of the Committee of Selection – the Majority Leader will come to this House to simply announce that he has overthrown him and made changes,” Mr Buah lamented.