General News of 2012-09-14

Not even the president can decline Parliament’s summons - Asiamah tells Woyome

The likely interim chairman of the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called the bluff of Alfred Woyome who has hinted he will not reappear before the committee.

Isaac Asiamah who is MP for Atwima Mponua insists the judgement debt business man has no power to decline Parliamentary summons.

Aide to Woyome, Kwame Tawia hinted his boss will not reappear before the committee accusing PAC members of disgracing themselves and failing the nation in the first encounter between Woyome and the committee members.

After refusing to appear before the committee with the explanation that the committee hearing could prejudice the cases before the court, Woyome made an appearance Wednesday after he was officially summoned to appear.

When he did, he left the committee bruised and divided with three members, including the chairman and his deputy recusing themselves in the next sitting after allegations of possible bias against them.

Isaac Asiamah was appointed as the new interim chair, but that appointment is also another subject of controversy with members of the majority challenging the powers of the chairman to make that appointment.

Kwame Tawia described his boss’ appearance before PAC as a complete waste of time.

He told Joy News the PAC members failed to make good use of the opportunity when it was granted them, adding Woyome will not reappear before the committee.

But the new chair is amused by the comments of Kwame Tawia. He will not comment directly to the statements except to quote Article 103 (6) of the constitution which gives the power to Parliament to summon anybody before it.

Isaac Asiamah told Joy News’ Sammy Darko not even the president can refuse to obey the summons of Parliament.

With his extremely partisan views on the floor of Parliament, his fairness has been called into question but Isaac Asiamah assured, "the Asiamah on the floor will be markedly different from the Asiamah the chairman."

He said he will be neutral and fair to all but was quick to add that his mandate to ensure accountability and to protect the public purse will not be compromised.