Parliament is set to open the way for a possible investigation into the alleged GH¢22 billion loss under the Bank of Ghana’s Gold for Reserves Programme and the activities of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), after Speaker Alban Bagbin revealed that he intends to admit a motion filed by the Minority.
The Minority New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus had disclosed that it has filed a motion seeking a bipartisan parliamentary probe in to the subject matter.
Mr Bagbin, however, ruled that the proposed admission of the motion will not be considered during the current one-week emergency sitting of Parliament, which was recalled primarily to undertake business outlined by President John Dramani Mahama in his request.
The Speaker said Parliament’s Standing Orders provide an avenue for the House to establish panels or request reports on matters requiring investigation, signalling that the Minority’s motion remains alive and could be considered after the emergency sitting.
Mr Bagbin made disclosure as the House reconvenes for a,five-day emergency sitting at the request of President Mahama to consider some crucial national issues.
According to the Speaker, both sides of the House and public commentary on the subject matter indicates the readiness of
“I don’t think that the Speaker will be the one that will stand in the way of the country. Yeah, so I intend to do so (admit the motion)” Mr Bagbin told the House.
He said the proposed debate or enquiry could be taken up within a few days after the necessary procedural steps have been completed, but emphasised that it would not form part of the business for the current emergency recall.
The Speaker consequently directed the House to focus exclusively on the business for which Parliament was recalled, with no new business or statements to be entertained during the one-week sitting.
The Minority’s proposed investigation is centred on the alleged GH¢22 billion loss under the Gold for Reserves Programme and broader questions surrounding GoldBod’s operations, transactions and management of Ghana’s gold purchasing programme.
However, the proposed inquiry can only apply if the motion expected to be admitted by Mr Speaker is finally admitted, the merits debated and voted upon.
A successful motion would provide Parliament an opportunity to examine the financial arrangements, transactions, accountability and value-for-money considerations surrounding the programme and GoldBod’s activities, amid the Minority’s call for clarity over the use of public resources.
Speaker Bagbin’s disclosure therefore keeps the proposed motion on the parliamentary agenda, although its consideration has been deferred until the emergency business is completed and Parliament returns from recess in late October.
By: Christian Kpesese
