BY Daniel Bampoe
The Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, Davis Ansah Opoku, has strongly pushed back against calls by Kwame Asare Obeng aka A Plus, MP for Gomoa Central, demanding the removal of Abena Osei-Asare as Chairperson of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
In a detailed statement responding to his colleague’s petition to the Speaker of Parliament, Davis Opoku described the request as “deeply misguided both in law and in principle,” stressing that the move undermines the Constitution, parliamentary procedure, and the independence of the legislature.
His comments come after A Plus submitted a formal letter to the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, urging him to initiate steps for Abena Osei-Asare’s removal.
The Gomoa Central MP argued that her past role as Deputy Minister of Finance under Ken Ofori-Atta compromises her moral authority to preside over a committee tasked with ensuring transparency in public spending.
However, Davis Opoku countered that Parliament’s committee leadership is governed by constitutional and procedural safeguards, not political sentiments or personal opinions.
Citing Article 93(2) of the 1992 Constitution, he explained that Parliament operates as a coordinate arm of government, exercising full legislative and oversight powers independent of the Executive.
He further referenced Orders 204 to 211 of Parliament’s Standing Orders, which outline the procedures for appointing committee chairpersons through the Committee of Selection, chaired by the Speaker and subsequently approved by the entire House.
“Abena Osei-Asare’s appointment followed this exact process,” Davis Opoku emphasized.
“The Standing Orders contain no rule that disqualifies her from serving as Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee.”
Providing additional context, the Mpreaso MP clarified that the Public Accounts Committee functions under Article 187(5) of the Constitution and Order 229 of the Standing Orders to examine reports of the Auditor-General. Its mandate, he said, is to ensure accountability in the use of public funds across all government agencies.
He argued that the PAC’s work is institutional, not personal, noting that when current officials appear before the Committee, they do so as representatives of state institutions — not as individuals culpable for past irregularities.
“Government is a continuum,” he stated. “Officials who appear before the PAC represent the institutions responsible for implementing recommendations of the Auditor-General’s reports. They are not being held accountable for past administrations’ actions.”
Ansah Opoku also pointed out that parliamentary mechanisms already exist to ensure neutrality in oversight functions.
He explained that when the party of the PAC Chairperson forms the government, the Ranking Member (from the opposition) presides over proceedings involving current government activities to avoid bias — a provision that maintains balance without requiring removal of the chair.
He warned that politicizing committee leadership could erode parliamentary independence and undermine the credibility of the accountability framework.
“Accountability in Parliament is not personal; it is institutional. Our democracy depends on protecting that principle,” he stressed.
