An estimated GH 6million budgetary allocation for the office of the Senior Minister has been rejected by Parliament.
The funds which were stipulated in the 2018 budgetary allocation for the office of the Senior Minister for its planned programs and policies was disallowed on the basis that the office was not a legal creation and therefore could not be allocated any funds from the national budget.
The office of the Senior Minister headed by Yaw Osafo Maafo was created by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo when he assumed office.
Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu addressing parliament argued that the Senior Minister’s office is expected to coordinate the activities of other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies and thus cannot be treated as a separate Ministry without legal backing.
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“It is either the President has not done that which is legally appropriate because I am holding with me the Executive Instrument (EI 28) Civil Service Ministry Statement 2017, signed by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the President of the Republic of Ghana which creates the various Ministries and conspicuously lost in this list, is office of the Senior Minister so it means that the portfolio of Senior Minister is only being held morally , but legally he [President Nana Addo] has no locus and if the President must do what is legally appropriate to create the office by the Executive Instrument unless a different instrument is issued to that effect,†Mr. Iddrisu maintained.
Endorsing the charge of rejection, Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu said the office must be placed under the office of government to ensure effective accountability.
The Senior Minister’s office has therefore been urged to depend on the office of government machinery for its expenditure in the ensuing year.
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