The Minority caucus in Parliament has expressed concern over what it describes as the increasing absence of Ministers of State during parliamentary proceedings, particularly when they are required to answer questions related to their respective sectors.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nsawam Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh asserted that the growing trend of ministers offering excuses to avoid appearing before the House undermines parliamentary oversight and accountability.
“This House has the powers to determine when Ministers should be in this House to respond to questions not the reverse. The trend emerging is that, the questions go through the process and all we hear is that ‘I am not available’. Fine you can write to communicate to this House that you are not available. It will take this House to tell you whether your reason will be acceptable or not. Where the Minister cannot come, his Deputy should be able to come. We have a number of questions piling up and we are not getting answers. It is worrying,” he stated.
In response, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga assured the House that ministers will be available to respond to questions going forward.
“I can assure you that the Ministers are always available to answer questions. If they cannot make it for some reason, they have to write and when they notify us we reschedule them,” he stated.
Source: citinewsroom.com
