Proceedings at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) came to an abrupt halt on Wednesday after the Majority Chief Whip demanded that members return to the chamber for government business.
The committee was conducting a public hearing to consider the Auditor-General’s Special Audit Report on Government Outstanding Claims and Commodities as of December 31, 2024. The session had just begun with the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition when the interruption occurred.
Chair Adjourns Over Lack of Majority Representation
The committee’s Chairperson, Abena Osei Asare, announced that she had no choice but to suspend the hearing. She explained that the rules governing the committee prevent it from proceeding without a Ranking Member or Deputy Ranking Member present.
Given that the audit report covers a period when the Minority was in government, her ruling emphasized that the Majority’s absence left the committee unable to effectively supervise the proceedings.
“The report under consideration is as of December 31, 2024, which means the Minority was in government at the time, and the law does not allow us to supervise such without their representation,” she stated.
Ms. Osei Asare subsequently adjourned the hearing until Thursday, March 26, 2026. She later informed the Speaker of Parliament about the disruption, noting that the impasse would affect the committee’s ability to execute the mandate referred to them.
Deputy Speaker Urges Leadership Consultation
Responding to the issue, First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor, who was presiding over the House, defended the Majority Chief Whip’s actions, describing them as a lawful exercise of duty.
However, he suggested that the move was a reaction to previous instances where the Minority had used committee meetings to demand a quorum on the floor of Parliament.
Mr. Ahiafor urged the leadership of both caucuses to consult urgently to find a lasting solution to the recurring standoffs.
Dominic Shirimori/Ghanamps.com
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