Akim Swedru MP Kennedy Nyarko Osei has dismissed A Plus’ petition to remove Hon Abena Osei Asare from the position.
A Plus, MP for Gomoa Central, wrote to the Speaker of Parliament requesting that Abena Osei Asare be removed as PAC Chair. He argued that she cannot preside over inquiries into financial issues that occurred when she served as Deputy Minister of Finance.
“All the matters currently before the Public Accounts Committee occurred under the leadership of Abena Osei Asare when she served as Deputy Minister of Finance,” A Plus wrote, adding that she “cannot now turn around to demand answers from newly appointed officials on issues that happened under her own watch.” He described her continued leadership as “hypocrisy” and “an insult to the intelligence of the Ghanaian people.”
Kennedy Nyarko Osei says the petition shows a misunderstanding of parliamentary procedure. He stressed that neither the Speaker nor the Leader of Government Business has the power to remove a committee member or chair.
“My colleague A Plus should take his time to learn the parliamentary rules and procedures properly. He should know and understand that the speaker has no powers to remove any member of parliament from any committee not even the leader of Government business in the house has such powers,” he stated.
He explained that only caucus leaders, through the Committee of Selection, can alter committee membership. According to him, anyone who believes an MP has acted improperly must instead invoke the standing orders.
“If he thinks the Hon. Member has done anything unparliamentary he should invoke the appropriate sections of standing order against her but to call the speaker to remove her as the chairperson of the Public Account Committee is nothing but a political bravado. I wish my colleague will withdraw this petition immediately to avoid any embarrassment to himself,” he said.
