Minister of Finance, Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta has rendered an apology to Ghanaians over the current economic hardships.
The Minister made these pronouncement at the public hearing of motion of census sitting against him.
Speaking at the hearing, he said "I am truly sorry. At the start of 2020, we never imagined that the global pandemic would inflict such pain and suffering upon the Ghanaian people"
He added that the shock to the system and livelihood of Ghanaians have been hard and the impact, severe.
Unconstitutional withdrawals for the controversial National Cathedral
Responding to the unconstitutional withdrawals for the controversial National Cathedral, he revealed that he wasuncomfortable about the formulation of such ground.
"On the unconstitutional withdrawals for Nat’l Cathedral, I have not breached the constitution in making payments to support the construction of the National Cathedral of Ghana"
"On the unconstitutional withdrawals for Nat’l Cathedral, let me be categorical, I have taken no money from the contingency funds to make payment for the national cathedral"
He explained that there is a difference between the contingency fund and the contingency vote.
"National cathedral is 100% owned by the State and is not the president’s cathedral"
"All the payments made for the national cathedral were lawfully done and from the contingency votes under governments obligation"
Deliberate and dishonest reporting of economic data to Parliament
Touching on deliberate and dishonest reporting of economic data to Parliament, the Finance Minister noted that the issue is not just unfortunate but simply untrue.
"I have never misreported data to parliament"
"This allegation is completely not true. Since I took office in 2017, I have served the country with integrity and honesty"
"I feel the stress of running a business but it is the strength and perseverance of the Ghanaian people that inspire me and my colleagues every morning. That is what gives me the strength to press on"
The hear goes on.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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