Parliament prevents Ayariga from laying papers on behalf of Finance Minister

Mr Mahama Ayariga, a Deputy Minister of Education, was on Tuesday prevented from laying five papers on behalf of Dr Kwabena Duffuor, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning and his Deputies in the House.

Mr E. K. Doe-Adjaho, First Deputy Speaker who was in the chair did not allow Mr Ayariga to lay the papers based on a concern raised by Mr Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, Minority Leader against Dr Duffuor who failed to appear before the House to lay the papers without any reason.

He said if Dr Duffuor knew he and his Deputies would not be able to avail themselves before the House then he should have informed the House.

Mr David Tetteh Assumeng, NDC Member for Shai Osudoku supported Mr Mensah Bonsu as well as Mr Isaac Kwame Asiamah, NPP Member for Atwima Mponua.

Dr Duffuor was immediately called to come to the House and he responded and appeared in the chamber to lay the papers with an apology to members.

The papers that were laid included credit facility between the Government and Fidelity Bank for GH¢24.11 million to finance the purchase of the remaining two out of the four MI-171 SII Helicopter for the Ghana Air Force.

The second was the financing agreement between the government and Stanbic Bank (Ghana) for the purchase of 200 ambulances for the National Ambulance Service.

The third was financing agreement between the government and International Development Association for $20 million to finance the regional trade facility project-phase II.

The rest were a financing agreement between the government and International Development Association for $30 million and $10 million grant from the Statistics for Results Facility Catalytic Fund to finance the Ghana Statistics Development programme.

Source: GNA