The Minority in Parliament says it will use legitimate and parliamentary procedure to scrutinise bills parliament as the House reconvenes on February 3, 2026.
Speaking at a media engagement in Parliament yesterday, the Leader of the Minority Caucus, Mr Alexander KwamenaAfenyo-Markin, noted thatit would resist the passage of bills by the Majorityunder a certificate of urgency.
Mr Afenyo-Markin said the ensuring effective scrutiny of bills and policies of the government was crucial in ensuring constitutional democracy and rule of law.
Touching on the economy, Mr Afenyo-Markinobserved that the reduction of the macroeconomic indicators, including inflation was as a result of the domestic debt exchange programme of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that was started by the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.
Hesaid that the prices of commodities on the market did not reflect the reduction of the macro-economic indicators and bemoaned its long-term sustainability.
“The macro-economic gains was not borne out as a result of government’s confidence in the management of the economy, but rather the IMF programme, the debt relief programme, rising commodity export, and reduced expenditure,” Mr Afenyo-Markin said.
The Minority Leader also urged the central bank to address the challenges of the Gold for Reserves programme, including the USD 214 million in loses that was recorded by the third quarter as of last year as reported by the IMF.
“The IMF says that the lossescame by as a result of the Bank of Ghana failing to protect our funds. How can you give money to GoldBod to by remittances because of exchange rate differentials?” Mr Afenyo-Markin asked.
“We need money to build schools, roads, construct hospitals, and create jobs. And if the central bank is going to undermine some of these artificial loses and turn round to tell us that it is economical cost, then we regret to say that the Minority will not accept this,” Mr Afenyo-Markin added.
According to him, the Minority was not in opposition to the policy but was concerned abouthow the establishment ofGoldBod, which was the regulator of the policywas “encouraging galamsey in the country.”
Mr Afenyo-Markin noted that the Minority had filed a motion to allow for broader engagement and consultation on the matter, adding “We urge the stakeholders of this Gold for Reserves policy to open up to hear our views so that together, we can move this country forward.”
He also called on the Majority to ensure that passage of the Human Sexual Right and Family Value Bill, address the challenges in the transport sector, and invest in agriculture to help grow the economy.
BY BENJAMIN ARCTON-TETTEY
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