Controller and Accountant General, Mr. Kwasi Kwaning-Bosompem, chose to abstain from appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday, January 29, following his recent defeat in the parliamentary primary.
Scheduled to address pertinent questions before the Committee, Mr. Kwaning-Bosompem was noticeably absent when proceedings commenced. The Deputy Finance Minister, Abena Osei Asare, conveyed that the Controller and Accountant General couldn’t attend due to unforeseen circumstances.
Despite this explanation, the committee insisted on Mr. Kwaning-Bosompem’s presence to address critical questions. Although the Controller and Accountant General sent his three deputies as representatives, some committee members rejected this and demanded his personal attendance.
However, PAC Chairman James Klutse Avedzi ruled that the committee should proceed with the hearing.
Mr. Kwaning-Bosompem suffered a defeat in the Akim Swedru parliamentary primary on Saturday, securing 94 votes against the incumbent MP Kennedy Osei, who received 194. Despite endorsements from high-profile personalities, his decision to enter politics faced opposition, with calls for his resignation or removal from office.
The Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) Ghana demanded his immediate removal, alleging a breach of the Civil Service Act, PNDC Law 327. Additionally, MP Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor filed a lawsuit against Mr. Kwaning-Bosompem on January 10, 2024.