By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
Parliament of Ghana on Thursday, May, 26th, 2022 shot down a 75 million Euros loan agreement between the government of Ghana and European Investment Bank, EIB for COVID-19 health response Ghana Project.
Meanwhile the Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has summoned Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to appear before the House with details of all funds received and used in the name of COVID -19.
Commenting on the issue, the Minority Caucus led by its Ranking Member for the Finance Committee and Member of Parliament (MP) for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam Constituency in the Central Region, Mr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson had quizzed failure of the Finance Minister to properly account for funds received in the name of the COVID 19 pandemic so far.
Ho West MP Mr. Emmanuel Bedzra in his submission threatened to mobilize the NDC MPs to vote against any loan for or in relation to COVID-19 since the President himself has through relaxation of the COVID-19 restrictions given indication the worst of the pandemic is over.
However, the Majority Chief Whip and MP for Nsawam/Adoagyiri constituency in the Eastern Region, Mr. Frank Annor-Dompreh sensing the mood in the House prayed the Speaker to stand down the agreement.
The Speaker however ordered the Finance Minister to account for all COVID-19 funds before Parliament or forget any approval for a credit facility in the name of fighting the pandemic.
“I direct that the Minister of Finance appears before this House to account for all the monies that were approved for the utilization for the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s only then and only after that this motion will have an expression in this House to be approved or otherwise,” the Speaker directed.
