The majority in Parliament has announced plans to launch sweeping investigations into alleged financial mismanagement under former President Nana Akufo-Addo, signaling a more aggressive oversight approach by the current administration.

Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mahama Ayariga, addressing lawmakers on Tuesday, said Parliament will open probes into the previous government’s handling of COVID-19 funds, as well as revisit controversial agreements tied to the Agyapa Royalties deal and the Power Distribution Services (PDS) concession.

“During this caucus, the Majority will spearhead a rigorous pursuit of accountability in Ghana’s public financial management,” Ayariga told Parliament. “We will demand a full-scale parliamentary investigation into the handling of COVID-19 expenditure to ensure transparency in how emergency funds were utilised.”

The investigations mark a potential turning point in Ghana’s political landscape, as the current administration intensifies scrutiny of contracts and expenditures that critics say lacked transparency. The Agyapa deal, in particular, drew widespread criticism for its structure, which involved attempts to monetise future mineral royalties through a special purpose vehicle listed abroad. The deal was ultimately suspended amid public backlash and legal challenges.

Mr. Ayariga also called for renewed inquiry into the $190 million PDS deal, which was terminated in 2019 amid allegations of fraud and procedural lapses in the bid to privatise Ghana’s power distribution sector—a development that derailed a major U.S. government-backed reform program.

In a separate matter during Tuesday’s session, Mr. Ayariga urged Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin to refer certain Minority Members to the Privileges Committee following an alleged offensive remark directed at Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, the MP for Klottey Korle. The Majority is pushing for an investigation into what it claims may be a breach of parliamentary privileges.

The moves come as Ghana’s political environment grows increasingly polarized ahead of general elections, with the Majority Caucus aiming to assert its role as a watchdog on matters of public accountability.

Source:TheDotNews