Demand accountability without disruption – Movement for Change to Minority NPP

The Movement for Change has charged the Minority in Parliament to demand and hold the current administration accountable without violence to ensure that it delivers on its mandate.

It urged the group to be more cordial and peaceful in their undertaking to ensure the continuous operations of the government.

Addressing some current national issues at a news conference in Accra, on Tuesday, Mr Andrew Appiah-Danquah, Spokesperson for the Movement for Change, praised the Minority for discharging its mandate by holding the government accountable.

He, however, expressed concern about the nature of hostilities and rancourous conduct that had, so far, characterised Parliamentary proceedings, including the public hearing of the Appointment committee.

He said while it was expected that the Minority held the current administration to account, it was unimpressed about the way it was being done, noting that the deployment of grandstanding, and a disruptive posture was not the right way to go.

“Whilst it is expected that the Minority in Parliament, led by the NPP, will hold the Majority and by extension the ruling Government to account, which to a large extent they seem to be doing with some admiration, it is important they do so without grandstanding, and a disruptive posture.” Mr Appiah-Danquah said.

He added that: “Democracy is not all about disagreement. It is essentially about agreeing to disagree.”

The Spokesperson also called on the Majority in Parliament to exercise its powers with discretion, adding that it must demonstrate full commitment to the principles of accountability and transparency.

Touching on the ministerial appointments, Mr Appiah-Danquah commended President John Dramani Mahama for keeping to his word to operate a “lean” government.

He said as a party which believed in a lean government, it was impressed with the appointments made by the current President so far.

“The President must be commended for living up to his commitment to establish a lean government,” stressing that reducing the number of Ministerial appointments to a maximum of Sixty was “a potential game changer.”

“The reduction in the number of Ministries and consolidation of same, must result in further cuts in public expenditure,” he urged.

To ensure fiscal discipline and reduce public expenditure, Mr Appiah-Danquah urged the Ministry of Finance to undertake an overhaul of the National Budget architecture.

He also urged the government to honour its promise to abolish some “nuisance” taxes and levies, including the Betting Tax, COVID Levy and Fumigation Levy to bring relief to Ghanaians.

To replace the revenue shortfall that may arise by abolishing these taxes and levies, Mr Appiah-Danquah proposed an increment of VAT from the current 15 per cent to 17 per cent.

“In addition, the aggressive efforts to reduce the incidence of corruption in public service will also save government additional revenue loss,” he added.

To achieve this, Mr Appiah-Danquah called for a comprehensive, robust and institutionalised approach to dealing with corruption.

This includes unifying and strengthening anti-corruption Acts, creating an anti-corruption Czar with full constitutional backing, ensuring compulsory Asset Declaration and Lifestyle Audits and promoting transparent procurement systems.

GNA