Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is expected to have a tough time in Parliament as a tall list of questions awaits him from some legislators.
The Minister had been summoned several times by Parliament to account for how COVID-19 money approved by the House since the outbreak of the pandemic, was applied.
Ofori-Atta has given excuses a couple of times defending why he could not appear before the House on the matter until the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, gave a directive that Parliament will not consider two loan facility agreements totalling $1 billion laid before the House until the sector Minister honour the invitation.
The minister is expected to answer 16 other questions from Members of Parliament (MPs) today.
Questions
The urgent questions that are to be answered by the Finance Minister are in the name of the National Democratic Congress ( NDC) MP for Wa East, Godfred Seidu Jasaw.
Agriculture
Mr Jasaw would want to know when the Ministry of Finance will issue financial clearance to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to clear the debt owed partners and suppliers to ensure availability of subsidised fertiliser in the farming season.
Infrastructure (Roads)
NPP MP for Ablekuma North, Ms Bartels’ question is to find out from the Finance Minister the current status of funding for the construction of PhaseTwo of the Tema Motorway, which has been highlighted as a major issue for commuters.
Energy
Mr. Sylvester Tetteh (Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfro)(NPP): What are the interventions the Ministry is employing to clamp the rising price of fuel?
Mr. Edward Abambire Bawa (Bongo)(NDC): What the Ministry is doing about imposed taxes and levies on petroleum products and the depreciation of the Cedi to slow down the fuel price build up?
Ms. Theresa Lardi Awuni (Okaikwei North) (NDC): How much was raised in total from Government Bonds since 2017, who are the transaction advisors and book runners, and how was paid to each?
Education/Infrastructure
Mr. Vincent Oppong Asamoah (Dormaa West) (NDC): Would the Ministry consider sourcing additional funding for infrastructural development at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani?
Finance/Economy
Mr. George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan (Cape Coast South)(NDC): Which companies were used as Local Transaction Advisors and Local Legal Advisors for the 2021 Eurobond and how much were they paid?
Mr. George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan (Cape Coast South) (NDC): How much has Government has realized (net proceeds) from the Eurobond issued in 2021, and how much it has spent on fees and related roadshow expenses?
Mr. Murtala Muhammed Ibrahim (Tamale Central) (NDC): How much revenue the state generates from the sale of power to neighboring countries?
Ms. Theresa Lardi Awuni (Okaikwei North) (NDC): How much was raised in total from Government Bonds since 2017, who are the transaction advisors and book runners, and how was paid to each?
Mr. Frank Annoh-Dompreh (Nsawam-Adoagyiri) (NPP): How will the 2022 budget ensure that all the major issues of increased taxes, increased fuel prices and unmaintained roads are tackled efficiently?
Dr. Stephen Amoah (Nhyiaeso) (NPP): What plans the Government has established to reduce the debt stock which stood at 76.1% in the first half of this year?
Mr. Kwadjo Asante (Suhum) (NPP): If the Government intends to return to the International Monetary Fund for financial assistance?
Ms. Dakoa Newman (Okaikwei South) (NPP): An update on the progress and impact of the Ghana CARES programme as well as the plans to raise a US$100 Billion fund aimed at revitalizing the economy, post COVID-19.
Mr. Frank Annoh-Dompreh (Nsawam-Adoagyiri) (NPP): How much has been invested in fighting COVID-19 and how has it impacted economic recovery?
Infrastructure
Mr. Collins Adomako-Mensah (Afigya Kwabre North) (NPP): What assurances the Ministry can give that Government has not abandoned projects started by previous administrations.
Economy/Health
Mr. Paul Apreku Twum-Barimah (Dormaa East) (NPP): An update on the creation of one (1) a million jobs stated in the mid-year budget since the Government payroll is full.
Source: Myxyzonline.com|Ghana