MP, Assembly members haggle over authority to request accountability

Hohoe, July 8, GNA - A request by the Hohoe Municipal Assembly to the area's two Members of Parliament to render accounts on government projects they had undertaken drew a heated debate between the two sides, with the legislators questioning the legality of such a demand. Mr Edwin Avega-Kamabla, Presiding Member of the Assembly on June 19 this year wrote to the two MPS -- Mr Prince Jacob Hayibor and Mr Joseph Amenowode, of Hohoe-North and Hohoe-South respectively -- requesting them to brief the house on their transactions covering the District Assemblies MPs Common Fund (DACF), HIPC Fund and Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND).

However, the Assembly received a reply from Mr Hayibor, saying the Assembly had no locus to summon them to account for such transactions, adding that they would not comply.

He further stated that it is rather MPs, who should be demanding accountability from the Assemblies, and not vice versa. "..Whoever demands to know how we used the Funds must join us on our campaign trail".

Mr Hayibor's reply generated heated comments on the floor of the Assembly with many members disagreeing with him. In his ruling, Mr Avega-Kamabla said the Assembly would seek further clarification on the matter from the Speaker of Parliament and the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development.