The Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Bistav Inusah Abdulai Fuseini, has revealed that that 97 Members of Parliament from the Minority side have signed a petition, to initiate a vote of censure against the Senior Minister, Mr. Osafo Marfo.
Mr. Fuseini pointed out that the petition comes on the back of the “reckless” statement made by the Senior Minister, to dismiss the prosecution of a Chinese illegal miner, Aisha Huang in exchange of greater benefits from the Republic of China.
In an interview with ghanajustice.com, Mr. Fuseini, stated that the petition was signed by 97 MPs and had been submitted to the office of the Clerk of Parliament.
The Ranking Member who doubles as Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, informed ghanajustice.com that the video recording of the Town Hall Meeting organised by the Government in the United States of America would be used as evidence to initiate the impeachment process against the Senior Minister.
Mr. Fuseini stated that in other jurisdictions, when a foreigner commits a crime in a particular jurisdiction, the suspect is prosecuted and tried in that jurisdiction in question without deporting him or her.
He further explained that the filing of nolle prosequi by the Attorney General and the subsequent deportation of the Chinese illegal miner has subjected Ghana to international ridicule.
The Constitution and the process of censure
Article 82 (1) of the 1992 Constitution states that “Parliament may, by a resolution supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of all the members of Parliament, pass a vote of censure on a Minister of State”.
Clause 3 of the same Article also stipulates that “the motion shall be debated in Parliament within fourteen days after the receipt by the Speaker of the notice for the motion.”
Source: GhanaJustice/S.Ayisi
