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MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said he was dismayed by the finance minister’s response to questions put to him in parliament on the cost of President Nana Akufo-Addo’s overseas travel.
Responding to questions on the floor from MP for North Tongu, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, said the Minister of National Security is in the best position to provide parliament with details on the cost of travel.
The Minister of Finance maintains that the cost of the president’s national and international travel is borne by the Ministry of National Security and not by his equipment.
He said he had made no specific release to the chief of staff for the president’s trips to France, Belgium and South Africa.
This answer came after more than a month of delay in answering the question.
Reacting to the response of the Minister of Finance to Parliament on Eye-witness New, said Okudzeto Ablakwa, it was “a very disappointing day. I am very embarrassed.
He deplored the nonchalant approach of the Minister of Finance to the call from Parliament.
“This is a minister who was to answer these questions on June 17th. It was duly announced on the provisional soap opera of June 16. He then rushes to Parliament on the morning of the scheduled date and informs the House that he needs more time to answer these questions.
“It was such a struggle for him to come and answer. Then he finally comes on Wednesday, only to tell us that we should now look at the Minister of National Security. These questions were admitted since June 1, when did the Minister realize that he did not have the answers? He could have gotten the answers if he wanted to. You do not treat Parliament that way. This is not how we protect public funds, promote good governance and transparency. This is totally wrong. It is contempt for Parliament and an insult to the Ghanaian people.
He further indicated that he had tabled an urgent question for the Minister of National Security to answer questions.
“The President had no choice but to accept his proposal. The next step is to bring in the Minister of National Security and answer the questions, and I can confirm that I immediately tabled an urgent question for the Minister to come and provide the answers.
“I expect the President to admit it quickly so that he [National Security Minister] will soon be dragged to Parliament. I hope he will not come and hide under national security to evade certain questions, “he added.
—Press room
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