Hon. Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, the Member of Parliament for Lower Manya Krobo, has expressed his disappointment over the Finance Minister’s repeated absence from parliamentary proceedings. Speaking in an interview with Citizen Kofi Owusu on Ahotor FM, the MP highlighted the adverse implications of the Minister’s absence on the government’s ability to meet its obligations.
According to Hon. Terlabi, the Majority Caucus in Parliament usually submits an order paper three days before proceedings. This document outlines the agenda, including scheduled presentations by key government officials. For this session, the Finance Minister was expected to deliver a mini-budget update, but he failed to show up for three consecutive days. On each occasion, his deputy, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, was also absent.
“The government in power is responsible for setting the agenda, and we, as MPs, expect them to take this role seriously. Unfortunately, the Finance Minister and his deputy’s absence left the Minority wondering what was going on,” Hon. Terlabi remarked.
The MP alleged that the government’s lack of urgency could be an intentional strategy to frustrate the next administration. However, he assured Ghanaians that such attempts would not succeed.
He further emphasized the critical role of the appropriation process, warning that delays in its passage could disrupt essential operations. “If the appropriation bill is not addressed, it will mean that salaries and projects from January to March will be in jeopardy. The government cannot access funds for payments without parliamentary approval, which requires a thorough process,” he explained.
Hon. Terlabi called on the government to act responsibly, stressing that the wellbeing of Ghanaian citizens should not be compromised due to political gamesmanship.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson
