Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has admitted the motion of censure against Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta filed by the Minority in Parliament.
The vote of censure against Mr Ofori-Atta was filed in compliance with Article 82 of the 1992 Constitution on Tuesday, October 25, 2022.
The Minority explained that the decision was based on the “alarming incompetence resulting in the collapse of the Ghanaian economy” and some ethical breaches.
This came after the Majority Caucus called for the 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.
Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Leader, said he is hopeful that the necessary processes will be followed to remove Mr Ofori-Atta by November 10, 2022.
“The motion has been admitted by the Speaker, and therefore it would have to go through the requirement of the Constitution of notice for at least seven days before we move the motion. So between now and November 10. The Constitution requires that it is done within 14 days,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Majority Caucus has backed down on their call on the president to remove the Finance Minister.
In a press statement issued by the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, he was optimistic that Mr Ofori-Atta will stay in office “until the conclusion of the round of negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the presentation of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy in November 2022 and the subsequent passage of the Appropriation Bill after which time the demand will be acted upon.”
They softened their stance after a meeting with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on the matter on Wednesday, October 26, 2022.
The president appealed for more time for Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to conclude negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) before any resignation talks.
At the meeting with the aggrieved MPs, he said terminating the appointment of Ken Ofori-Atta would disrupt the programme, which is near completion.
The president had hinted that a deal could be reached with the IMF in three weeks for a $3 billion balance of payment support.