The Minority in Parliament has submitted a fresh motion calling for the establishment of an ad hoc committee to investigate the reported $1.7 billion loss at the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod).
The move is part of the Caucus’s continued push for Parliament to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported loss, despite calls for the matter to be handled by the Public Accounts Committee.
Speaking after a Minority Caucus meeting, the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo and a member of Parliament’s Economy Committee, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, said the motion had been submitted to the Speaker for consideration.
He explained that the Minority had deliberately chosen the ad hoc committee route because it believed the mechanism would provide Parliament with the appropriate platform to thoroughly examine the matter.
Mr Assafuah stressed that the Minority would not change its approach to suit what he described as the convenience of other individuals or groups.
He rejected suggestions that the Caucus should rely exclusively on the Public Accounts Committee, arguing that Parliament has several constitutional and procedural mechanisms available to it.
According to him, Article 103 of the 1992 Constitution, together with Parliament’s Standing Orders, gives the legislature the authority to establish committees to investigate issues involving ministries, departments and agencies.
He cited Standing Orders 204, 212, 213, 262 and 263 as provisions that support the establishment of an ad hoc committee and empower such a committee to invite or summon individuals who may have information relevant to its work.
The development comes amid a growing political disagreement between the Minority and GoldBod Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi.
The Minority has accused Mr Gyamfi of attempting to divert attention from questions surrounding the reported $1.7 billion loss by alleging that Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin engaged in extortion.
Mr Assafuah dismissed the allegation and said the Minority remained united behind its leader.
He challenged Mr Gyamfi to provide evidence to support the extortion claims, insisting that the allegations should not overshadow the substantive issues surrounding the reported GoldBod loss.
The proposed committee, if approved, would have the mandate to investigate the circumstances that led to the reported loss and invite persons who could assist Parliament in establishing the facts.
Mr Assafuah said the Minority considered the motion a priority and expected the Speaker to consider it within the week.
He maintained that the Caucus’s focus remained on uncovering the facts surrounding the reported loss rather than allowing the dispute over the extortion allegations to dominate public discussion.
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