Parliament buys idea of Financial Administrative Tribunal

Accra, July 16, GNA- Mr Agyare Koi Larbi, Member for Akropong, on Wednesday offered for sale an idea of a Financial Administrative Tribunal and had it bought after a long bargain in Parliament.

The Tribunal idea was contained in an amendment proposal to the Financial Administrative Bill, now set for a second consideration stage. He said the jurisdiction of the tribunal includes the enforcement of recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee on the Auditor-General reports as approved by Parliament.

The Public Accounts Committee, which chaired most of the time by the Minority Leader has over the years lamented over Parliament's inability to enforce recommendations of the Auditor-General on Ghana's Public Accounts.

At its draft stage, it proposes that a Justice of the High Court shall be the chairperson, a Chartered Accountant and a Management Accountant or a professional valuer as members.

He said members shall be nominated by the Chief Justice in consultation with the Judicial Council and shall be appointed by the President.

"The terms and conditions of the members other than the Justice of the High Court shall be stated in their letters of appointment." He said the orders of the tribunal, "shall be enforced in the same way as an order of the High Court."

Mr Koi Larbi said an order made such a tribunal, "shall not be taken as a conviction unless the tribunal expressly directs". The member said the time had come for Ghana to have special courts to handle special serious issues, which can best be handled by professionals.

Mr Doe Adjaho, Minority Chief Whip, who led the opposers, said the idea conflicts with article 187 of the constitution.

He said anybody who would be arraigned before such a tribunal could opt for the High Court and that could undermine the tribunal, adding that, "in that case what takes precedence over the other." Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, Speaker ruled that constitutional problems would not rpt not arise and that the proposal would even strengthen Article 187.

He said there was gap in the financial Administration in the country and the proposal has the potential to fill it. Members agreed to reconsider details of the amendment during the second consideration without sacrificing the idea.