By The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Majority in parliament has initiated the “Putting Out the Facts Series” with the aim of providing accurate information to enable Ghanaians to make informed choices ahead of the December general election.
Speaking to the Parliamentary Press Corps in parliament, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin stated that the “Putting Out the Facts Series” is intended to prevent the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Minority in Parliament from perpetuating falsehoods throughout this election year.
He mentioned that last week, the NDC Minority held a press conference where they addressed various issues, including the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act. They claimed that state-owned agencies and companies were entering into multi-year contracts, alleging a violation of the PFM Act, specifically Section 33 of the same legislation.
“And they juxtaposed it against the Constitution to say that Article 181 requires that such contracts should come to Parliament,” the Majority Leader stated.
“Without prejudice to the general powers of parliament to oversight, it is important to remind our colleagues that they ought not to make parliament a busybody, nosing for things that are not part of the mandate of parliament. Our job as parliament is provided for in the Constitution.”
Mr Afenyo-Markin urged the NDC Minority to desist from spreading falsehood; saying “By that act they are obstructing government business, by that act they are scaring investors and that affects the economy”.
He expressed concern that if businesses were exposed to such news, they might withhold their best efforts, potentially withholding investments that could impact the welfare of the people of Ghana.
Act 921, Section 33 states that “A covered entity shall not enter into any agreement with a financial commitment that binds the government for more than one financial year or that results in a contingent liability except where the financial commitment or the contingent liability (a) is with the prior written approval of the Minister, and (b) authorised by Parliament in accordance with article 181 of the Constitution.”
Article 181 (5) “This article shall, with the necessary modifications by Parliament, apply to an international business or economic transaction to which the government is a party as it applies to a loan.”
Mr Afenyo-Markin said; “So, the contract under reference or the contract in question must be an international transaction, that is where our colleagues should pay attention to. It does not mean that every contract with a multi-year value should come to parliament.”
“So, they should stop misleading the public. They should stop spreading falsehood.”
He reiterated that every government engages the private sector, and the objective of that was to create space for economic growth.
“So, if you recklessly scare off the businessmen, and where you know that what you are putting out is not true, what you are trying to do is to sabotage the economy,” he said.
“So, I would like to encourage them, yes we know it is an election year, but let’s argue about facts, let’s put out the facts.”
Highlighting the accomplishments of the NPP government, Mr. Afenyo-Markin emphasized the Free Senior High School (SHS) program, noting its transformative impact on the lives of Ghanaians.
“If it comes to educational infrastructure, it is for all of us to see with our eyes that not only did the government introduce Free SHS, but we matched it with massive infrastructural development in our various schools. Today, we are witnesses to the massive infrastructural development in various secondary schools and at our various TVET study centres.”
Regarding the fisheries sector, Mr. Afenyo-Markin highlighted the ongoing construction of all 13 landing beaches. He noted the commissioning of one at Elmina, which had already attracted its first tourist boat.
Additionally, he mentioned the progress in constructing landing beaches at Winneba, Moree, Dixcove, and Keta as notable achievements of the government.
Source: GNA
