Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has launched a fierce protest in Parliament, accusing the Majority of deliberately frustrating motions filed by his Caucus, particularly one seeking a probe into the activities of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod).
Addressing the House on Tuesday on the matter, Annoh-Dompreh expressed dissatisfaction over what he described as repeated delays and flimsy excuses preventing debate on key motions, including one on mass dismissals and another on the gold reserve scheme.
He challenged the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, urging him to take decisive action.
“Majority Leader, do something about this motion before you die. I am not wishing you death, but you must show leadership,” he stated.
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The Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP argued that the GoldBod motion is of significant national importance, stressing that it goes beyond parliamentary procedure and touches on matters of public interest, including financial accountability and governance.
According to him, the motion has appeared multiple times on the Order Paper after being admitted by the Speaker, yet has consistently failed to be taken.
“We have informed the public and stakeholders. This matter is not just about MPs; it is about the Ghanaian people. Why are we dilly-dallying if there is nothing to hide?” he questioned.
Annoh-Dompreh warned that the Minority would pursue every legal avenue to ensure the motion is debated, hinting at possible disruption of government business if their demands continue to be ignored.
“Unless this motion is moved, government business will suffer,” he cautioned, insisting that the Majority must marshal its numbers and allow the House to debate and vote on the issue.
The Minority Chief Whip raised concerns about the integrity of parliamentary processes, suggesting that the repeated advertisement of the Motion by the Table Office indicates it had been duly admitted.
He maintained that Parliament has the authority to establish a committee to investigate the Gold for Reserves scheme, including its design, implementation, financial performance, and broader implications.
He accused the Majority of avoiding scrutiny, alleging that fears of exposure could be behind the reluctance to allow debate.
“What is it about this motion that the Majority is afraid of? The monies involved are huge, the potential losses are significant, and yet you don’t want this House to debate it,” he added.
The heated exchange underscores growing tensions between the Minority and Majority sides of Parliament of Ghana, as disputes over procedure and accountability continue to dominate proceedings.
Responding to the concerns raised by Hon Annoh-Dompreh, Majority leader Mahama Ayariga told the House that the motion before Parliament of Ghana is not about the Gold Board but rather the Gold-for-Reserves programme implemented by the Bank of Ghana.
“How does a demand for a Gold-for-Reserves motion metamorphose into a GoldBod motion?” he queried, accusing the Minority of attempting to ‘play to the gallery’ and create a false narrative.
According to him, the motion explicitly calls for the establishment of an ad hoc committee to investigate the Gold-for-Reserves Scheme, a central bank initiative aimed at strengthening Ghana’s reserves and stabilising the currency.
“This is not Gold Board. It has absolutely nothing to do with Gold Board,” he stressed, adding that any attempt to link the motion to GoldBod and suggest a cover-up is unfounded.
Below is the full text of the Motion as captured in the order paper:
PRIVATE MEMBERS’ MOTION
That this Honourable House, pursuant to Article 103 of the 1992 Constitution and Orders 204, 212, 213, 262 and 263 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, establish an Ad hoc Committee to investigate the Gold-for-Reserves Scheme, including its design, implementation, governance, financial performance, environmental and public health implications, and any related matters.