Parliament has rejected the 2018 budgetary allocation to the office of the Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Maafo as members described the ministry as an illegal entity of the government.
According to the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu an Executive Instrument (EI28) containing a list of ministries signed by President Nana Akufo-Addo and gazetted on 28th February, 2017 did not include the office of the Senior Minister as a ministry hence it cannot be allocated funds from the state coffers without any legal backing.
The Senior Minister’s office was allocated an amount of GHS 6 million for the ministry’s 2018 activities but the house kicked against it after the minority leader challenged the legality of the ministry.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Majority leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said the allocation can be approved under the Office of Government Machinery but urged members to perform oversight on that office.
Pursuant to Parliament’s Order 82, the Majority leader withdrew the motion paving the way for the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu to uphold it.
<<Print>>