Minister & Governor must resign - Bagbin

The minority National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused Finance Minister Yaw Osafo-Maafo and the Governor of the Bank of Ghana of perjury and called for their resignation. If they fail to do so, they must be dismissed.

The leader of the ?boycotting? minority in Parliament Alban Bagbin (MP) told the Network Herald that, both Dr. Acquah and the Finance Minister lied to Parliament over the controversial $1 billion IFC loan, which amounts to perjury and is punishable by the laws of the land.

Mr. Bagbin also pointed out the damage that would be done to the government?s zero tolerance for corruption and indiscipline slogan, if the two are encouraged to continue to hold the high and very sensitive positions they occupy. Earlier at a press briefing to announce their resolve to boycott proceedings of the House for the rest of this week, the minority leader recounted that when his side raised the issue of due diligence in the IFC loan agreement, it was assured by the Governor, Dr. Paul Acquah, that ?he had conducted sufficient due diligence on the IFC and found the organization to be genuine?.

He said based on this assurance, the majority side railroaded the loan through Parliament against the loud dissent by the minority. However, when criticisms of the loan agreement intensified, the Governor and the Finance Minister beat a quick retreat to admit later that they are now reviewing the loan agreement and conducting the necessary due diligence.

?Despite this perjury and deceit of Parliament and the good people of Ghana, the Governor of the Bank and the Minister of Finance, continue to hold office?, Bagbin lamented.

Bagbin who was obviously agitated at the rate at which sitting NDC MPs are being hauled before one investigating body or the other and the courts to be charged for ?causing financial loss to the state?, asked the government to do well to look within its own ranks for nation wreckers. He said the minority is not amused at the blatant contempt and disregard being exhibited by the Executive for their parliamentary privileges and immunities.

According to him, ?the waste of scarce state resources in respect of the numerous trips to Europe and the US, tickets, hotel bills, per diems and indeed the wanton waste of the whole nation?s time and energy in pursuing the elusive money is not considered a financial loss to the state because of the appropriate political colour of the perpetrators.

Meanwhile insiders say the matter of the IFC loan raised tempers at a stormy, high-tension meeting at the State House last Tuesday. Lots of blame and accusations were traded between the Senior Minister, J H Mensah, the Finance Minister Hon. Yaw Osafo-Maafo and the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Paul Acquah. Also present were other senior government officials.

According to the insider report, voices were raised, tempers flared and escalated to boiling point, and hurtful words were exchanged. The main aim of the meeting was to clarify the next step of the government, since it?s now almost certain that the loan will remain a dream. Meanwhile, Professor Eddie Ayensu, the man who brought the deal to the government, is keeping out of sight. He quietly sneaked out of the country and is keeping a very low profile. Mr. Bagbin said although there is ambiguity in the interpretation of what constitutes ?willfully causing financial loss to the state? and the fact that the validity of the said law has been challenged, the government is continuing with undue haste, the process of arraigning more members of the minority before the fast track court on that charge.

Dan Abodakpi, MP for Keta is being tried on seven counts of conspiracy to commit crime, defrauding by false pretences and wilfully causing a total loss of 2.73 billion cedis to the State at a Fast Track Court (FTC). Presently other minority Members including, Messrs. Enoch Teye Mensah, MP for Ningo Prampram, Ato Quarshie (Komenda-edina-Eguafo) and John Abu (Amenfi Central) are being rushed through processes for prosecution.

Bagbin made reference to Senior Minister, J.H. Mensah?s alleged statement that it is government?s intention to prosecute and imprison key members of the opposition NDC party especially NDC Members of Parliament before the next election, and said; ?We have sufficient evidence to believe that this intention is now being implemented in earnest by the government?.

When THE NETWORK HERALD asked him why he thought that boycotting parliamentary work should be the first option, Bagbin said, he discussed the issue with the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Peter Ala Adjetey and followed it up with a memorandum on the 8th of this month ?but since then, nothing, no word or response has come from the chair?.

?If we have to wait for a response from the Speaker, then we will wait till doomsday?. The very enigmatic minority leader quoting Article 117, 118 and the Standing Orders of the House hinted that henceforth, all invitations, which are not channeled through the Speaker, would not be regarded by the NDC. Meanwhile, Speaker, Ala Adjetey said the minority petition reached his office in the afternoon of Tuesday, November 19, the day before the press conference and he has since dealt with it appropriately.