Motion for Revocation of the Finance Minister Tabled by the Minority

The Minority leader in parliament, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu has moved the motion for the revocation of the appointment of the Minister of Finance, Hon. Ken Ofori-Otta.

The minority leader and the minority caucus are seeking to use the constitution to revoke the appointment of the Finance Minister through a vote of censure as a result of the current ailing Ghanaian economy.

The Minister of Finance, Hon. Ken Ofori-Otta has been in charge since 2017 as the Finance Minister but has been accused of failing to perform his duties as required of him leading to the current economic hardship Ghanaians are facing. Inflation is currently 40.4%, prices of fuel at the pumps have gone up, and lorry fares and food prices have continued to increase.

However, the majority caucus of parliament is seeking to ensure that the move by the minority does not see the light of day.

Hon. Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, Member of the Parliament of Ghana for the Effutu constituency and currently the Deputy Majority Leader in the Parliament of Ghana argued that the Minority is attempting to engage in a public trial of the Finance Minister.

READ: Sacrifice one man & save millions of lives & livelihoods – Hon. Ablakwa on Ofori-Atta’s Faith

Article 82 of the 1992 constitution explains the processes for the Vote of censure as follows.

(1) Parliament may, by are solution supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of all the members of Parliament, pass a vote of censure on a Minister of State.

(2) A motion for the resolution referred to in clause (1) of this article shall not be moved in Parliament unless—

(a) seven days’ notice has been given of the motion; and

(b) the notice for the motion has been signed by not less than one-third of all the members of Parliament;

(3) The motion shall be debated in Parliament within fourteen days after the receipt by the Speaker of the notice for the motion.

(4) A Minister of State in respect of whom a vote of censure is debated under clause (3) of this article is entitled, during the debate, to be heard in his defence.

(5) Where a vote of censure is passed against a Minister under this article the President may, unless the Minister resigns his office, revoke his appointment as a Minister.

(6) For the avoidance of doubt this article applies to a Deputy Minister as it applies to a Minister of State.

Developing story… More updates coming.