Adongo vows Parliament will 'grill' Ato Forson despite close working relationship

Isaac Adongo, Chairman of Parliament’s Finance Committee, has pledged continued parliamentary scrutiny of government spending, insisting that his relationship with Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson will not undermine the committee’s oversight responsibilities.

Adongo said Parliament would continue to support the government’s economic programme while scrutinising its decisions to protect the gains made in the economy.

“Parliament is there to support him. Parliament is there to critique him,” he said in an interview with Joy News at the IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok, Thailand.

He argued that the Finance Committee’s work was not determined by its chairman alone but involved members from both sides of the political divide.

Adongo said bills presented to the committee had been scrutinised on a bipartisan basis, with disagreements providing opportunities for members to express their views before decisions were reached.

He cited the committee’s consideration of the legislation establishing the Ghana Gold Board as an example, saying members had raised concerns about certain provisions but ultimately supported the passage of the law.

Adongo also defended the Finance Minister’s approach to securing parliamentary approval for agreements with multi-year financial implications, saying the move demonstrated respect for Parliament’s constitutional role.

He pointed to Section 33 of the Public Financial Management Act, which requires parliamentary approval for agreements with multi-year financial implications, as an example of the minister’s commitment to compliance.

“Every time I speak with Dr Ato Forson and we share ideas, there is enormous collaboration between Parliament and Ato Forson,” he said.