Ranking Member on the Health Committee of Parliament, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has asserted that the Finance Minister is still at post because he is President Akufo-Addo’s favourite.

He says the President should have been able to issue orders to the Minister, considering how poor he has managed the country’s economy and his persistent disregard for Parliament invitations.

According to the Juaboso Member of Parliament (MP), the failure of Mr Ofori-Atta to appear before the House on Thursday to account for government’s Covid-19 expenditure is evident that he is not fit for the position he occupies.

“That has been his nature; I am not surprised. There are a lot of outstanding questions for the Minister responsible for Finance, and sometimes at the last minute, he won’t show up.

“In any jurisdiction, this man would have been fired long ago by the President. He is not being fired by the President because he is keeping the parochial interest of the President.

“Tell me one single reason why this Minister should be in office by now. Are you satisfied? The hardship we are going through today, are you satisfied? The inflation today and the economic condition we are in today in Ghana can only be likened to the 80s,” he argued.

The Finance Minister on Thursday did not show up in Parliament to render accounts on how government has spent Covid-19 funds, despite earlier assurances from leadership of the Majority group in Parliament.

Per the Business Statement for the week, and Wednesday’s provisional Order Paper, Ken Ofori-Atta was expected to answer 16 questions, which include accounts on Covid-19 funds.

But the said questions were not tabled as part of the day’s business.

The Minority MPs are incensed over the development as they have accused him of a continuous disrespect for the House.
Mr Akandoh stressed that the attitude of the Finance Minister points to the fact that the government does not care much about probity and transparency.

He explained that “if he [Ken Ofori-Atta] really cares and this man has any conscience, he would not have the gut to go and sit on national television and be defending the building of the National Cathedral, while countless number of NABCo people have not been paid, and while the National Health Insurance Authority’s Fund has not been paid.”

He also noted that his side will not give up on demanding accountability from the Finance Minister on government’s expenditure on covid-19.

“We are talking in excess of ¢25 million. We need a bi-partisan probe into the entire expenditure and the receipt of Covid money. For me, the questions on the Order Paper are not enough.”