Parliament Summons Kwabena Donkor, Seth Tekper

Parliament has summoned Power Minister, Dr Kwabena Donkor and Finance Minister, Mr Seth Terkper to brief the House on the power purchase agreement between the Electricity Company of Ghana and Karpowership Company for the deployment of 45o megawatts of power.

The summon follows concerns raised by members of the House on the agreement and whether or not it requires parliamentary approval.

Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin moved the proposal on the floor asking the House to investigate the power purchase agreement because it lacked Constitutional backing.

He contended that the $100 million Government guarantee for the ECG’s 50 million dollars counterpart funding of the agreement needed parliamentary scrutiny and approval in accordance with Article 181 (5) and (6) of the 1992 Constitution.

The MP said government must not be allowed to go ahead with the deal until it is fully scrutinised and due diligence is done.

He said the House will consider a court action if government fails to brief members on the deal.

“If government remains adamant we will take the matter to the Supreme Court because we must not encourage government to breach the constitution,” he stated.

First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, EboBarton Oduro who presided over proceedings at the time, directed that the Minister of Finance be invited to brief the House on the contents of the agreement and make copies available to the House for perusal.