Education Minister and Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, has called for a more robust parliamentary oversight system, arguing that lawmakers must dedicate more time to scrutinising major government decisions, particularly those involving substantial public expenditure.
Speaking at the Governance Series organised by Three Reports in collaboration with the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), Mr Iddrisu expressed concern over what he described as Parliament’s tendency to approve critical government proposals without adequate examination.
According to the Education Minister, Parliament’s constitutional responsibility extends beyond approving government requests to ensuring that every decision serves the public interest and delivers value for money.
He questioned why lawmakers would approve a US$1 billion loan within a relatively short period, insisting that such significant financial commitments require thorough interrogation before receiving parliamentary approval.
Mr Iddrisu stressed that rigorous oversight is essential to protecting public resources and ensuring accountability in government spending.
“Parliament must not rush through major decisions. We have a duty to carefully interrogate proposals before granting approval,” he emphasised.
Using road infrastructure as an example, the Tamale South MP questioned the quality of some government-funded projects, noting that several roads deteriorate only months after being rehabilitated despite the huge sums invested.
He argued that Parliament must hold contractors and implementing agencies accountable to ensure taxpayers receive value for money.
“We award a road contract. We pay the contractor based on the value of the road,” he said.
“How come that the road is repaired, and in three, six months, that same road becomes porous? Is that value for money? And who is to demand that for the public?”
Mr Iddrisu maintained that stronger oversight would help reduce waste, improve project quality and enhance public confidence in government spending.
