Parliament finally approves controversial $250m IDA loan for Energy Sector Recovery Programme
Parliament has finally approved a $250 million facility between government of Ghana and the International Development Association, IDA of the World Bank for the Energy Sector Recovery Programme.
The controversial facility was rejected by Parliament during the last meeting following an issue raised by member of parliament for Asawase Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak about an amount of $94 million allocated for consultancy services.
The loan agreement is part of the reasons the majority triggered an emergency recall of parliament under article 112(3).
The agreement was referred to the finance committee yesterday for a new report following refusal of the minority to allow for a recision motion from the majority leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin against the rejection of the loan agreement on the last day of sitting at the last meeting.
In presenting the new report of the finance committee, a member and deputy majority chief whip Habib Iddrisu explained the concerns of the minority regarding the consultancy services allocation have been addressed.
According to the committee the finance ministry explained the over $90 million allocation was not just for consultancy but other items like purchase of prepaid meters. Ranking member for the Finance Committee Isaac Adongo in seconding the motion indicated the satisfaction of the minority with the breakdown of the allocation earlier captured under consultancy.
Asawase MP Muntaka Mubarak also indicated he had no further issues with the facility. The house consequently by consensus approved the facility
