The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu has said that ordinarily, in any civilized democracy in the world, the Finance Minister does not need a motion to go home.
He said this after Deputy Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin objected to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin’s ruling that the motion of vote of censure against the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta is properly laid before the House.
Mr Afenyo-Markin has argued that Mr Ofori-Atta ought to be heard following the motion filed by the Minority to get him removed from office.
He stated that the Minister has not be served, neither have the applicants served the basis on which they mounted their application.
His comments come after the Speaker ruled that the motion filed by the Minority was properly laid after overruling an objection from the Majority.
Mr Afenyo-Markin said “The Minister is entitled to be heard. You cannot take away the right to fair hearing from a respondent. So Mr. Speaker, my view is that, we have a serious matter as censure and the applicants have not served the Minister neither have they served the basis on which they mounted their application.”
Responding to him, Mr Iddirsu said “The Speaker has ruled, and we must show respect to the Speaker. If there are any disagreements with the ruling, they know what to do. Ordinarily, any civilized democracy in the world, you don’t even need a motion for the Minister of Finance to go home.
“He, upon self-appraisal of where he has led the country and economy to, in all conscience, will bow out and save the nation. So, we have brought a competent motion.”
The motion was filed by Asawase Member of Parliament Muntaka Mubarak and dated October 24, 2022.
The opposition lawmakers believe the Finance Minister has failed in managing the economy.
In tweet, North Tongu Member of Parliament Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said ” In compliance with Article 82 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the NDC Caucus in Parliament has successfully filed a motion for his immediate removal.
“We’re glad there’s positive indication some of our NPP colleagues will support us.”
This was after some lawmakers on the side of the governing party also held a press conference to call for the removal of the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry Charles Adu Boahen.
