Akufo-Addo’s travels: Ofori-Atta incurs anger of NDC MPs for dodging questions

Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has requested Minority Members of Parliament to direct their questions on alleged luxurious travels by President Akufo-Addo to National Security Minister Albert Kan Dapaah because the urgent questions do not fall within his office.

North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa filed urgent questions hauling Mr. Ofori-Atta before the floor of parliament on how much the president spent on his trips to Belgium, France and South Africa.

But, appearing before parliament, Mr. Ofori-Atta who has already requested for more times to answer the questions, responded that “he has no the answers”.

According to Ofori-Atta, “his outfit is noted for providing a quarterly budgets for the Office of the President through the Chief of Staff but is unable to respond to questions on the president’s trips because it remains a security matter for Sector Minister Kan Dapaah”.

Deputy Minority Leader Dr. James Klutse Avedzi questioned the shocking sentiments expressed by the Finance Minister for shifting the goalpost after he begged the house for a grace period.

But, Mr. Ofori-Atta insists “I still contend that the National Security Minister is best placed to answer questions relating to the president’s travels because it’s a security matter “.

This position by the Finance Minister was supported by Majority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu who argued that “Ken Ofori-Atta can only be questioned on matters his office is officially responsible for”

In a sharp reaction, Mr. Ablakwa said “he is disappointed over the the latest position of the Finance Minister on the matter after asking for a long period of time”.

Meanwhile, Former Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson said the “Mr. Ofor-Atta is running away from the supervisory duties imposed on him by the Financial Management Act”.

Source : africaneditors.com