The Majority and Minority caucuses in Parliament are at odds over the appearance of the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Asiama, to brief lawmakers on the cost incurred in the construction of the bank’s new building.
The Majority leader, Mahama Ayariga, in a submission on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, insisted the governor had been duly summoned to undertake the task.
Mr. Ayariga said it was not unusual for the head of a state institution to be invited by Parliament to brief members on the state of affairs pertaining to their agencies.
The leader explained that the governor had been scheduled to appear in Parliament following deliberations by the Business Committee.
“I had a discussion with the Speaker, and the Speaker authorized it, and at the Business Committee meeting, the Business Committee agreed. I came here and presented it to the House. The House adopted it on Friday, and it has been scheduled on the order paper”, Mr. Ayariga stated.
He continued: “Mr. Speaker, the governor is not carrying a gun. He is only carrying a sheet of paper to give us simple information.”
Mr. Ayariga noted that the governor had come to “tell us the cost of the new building of the Bank of Ghana, that’s all”.
On his part, Minority leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin opposed the invitation, arguing that it set a bad precedent for the House.
“As a Parliament, we can file a question to get answers or invite the governor [of the Central Bank] but this must happen at plenary. This must first happen at plenary for a referral to be made, then the proper thing is done.
“You see hansard is taking notes of all that we are doing today. We will have to be very careful so that when set a certain precedent and the same precedent is coming back to use tomorrow, we will not have cause to answer,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin said.
The development caused 1st Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, to suspend sitting temporarily.
