Minority files motion for vote of censure against Ofori-Atta

The Minority in Parliament has filed a motion for a vote of censure against the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, in compliance with Article 82 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

During a press conference today, October 25, 2022, Deputy Minority Whip Ahmed Ibrahim said his side has already commenced discussions on the vote of censure against Mr Ofori-Atta.

“The Honourable Haruna Iddrisu said it in a business committee yesterday. The motion is ready; he did not want to surprise the Majority Leader,” Mr Banda said.

The Minority explained that the decision was based on the “alarming incompetence resulting in the collapse of the Ghanaian economy” and some ethical breaches.

They have also called on the Majority Caucus to support them “to save this country and the economy from any further deterioration in the hands of Hon Ken Ofori-Atta”.

Mr Banda noted that both sides should easily vote a two-thirds majority to sack Ken Ofori-Atta since they are all on the same page.

“Now they have shown indication that they also do not want the Finance Minister. So now it is a clear indication that the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has to go,” he added.

This motion comes at a time when the Majority Caucus in Parliament has called on the President to dismiss the Finance Minister.

The MPs called for the immediate dismissal of Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance Charles Adu Boahen for overseeing the continuous depreciation of the cedi and the dwindling fortunes of the economy.

The Majority contends that the finance minister should take full responsibility for Ghana’s current economic woes and should be fired by the President to make way for a more competent person to handle the IMF negotiations.

They threatened to boycott the 2023 budget presentation, debate, and other parliamentary businesses if the President failed to sack Mr Ofori-Atta.

Meanwhile, the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has said that the Minority has filed a motion when it has not been admitted by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin.

“It is intriguing to hear the Minority Leader give an indication that he is filing a motion. If you have filed a motion, with the greatest respect, the admissibility of a motion lies with the Speaker. How do you come and speak to it when the Speaker has not admitted it?” Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu quizzed.