The Minority in Parliament demands the immediate dismissal of Attorney General and Minister for Justice Dr. Dominic Ayine. This follows alleged unlawful disbursement of GHS 350 million meant for flood victims. The caucus describes the situation as a potential breach of public finance laws and a court order.
The GHS 350 million was approved by Parliament for withdrawal from the Contingency Fund. This withdrawal was to support relief and mitigation efforts after recent floods. However, the Minority states the Contingency Fund was under judicial attachment during the disbursement. This raises questions about how the funds were accessed or if an alternative unapproved source was used.
This event raises concerns about adherence to Ghana’s Public Financial Management Act and constitutional provisions. It highlights ongoing scrutiny of government spending and financial accountability. Previous instances of unapproved spending or procedural irregularities have often led to public debate and parliamentary inquiries.
Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei addressed journalists in Parliament. She questioned how the money was moved if the Contingency Fund was indeed under attachment. Ms. Appiagyei suggested that if the approved source was unavailable, an alternative public account must have been used. She emphasized that any alternative arrangement needed fresh parliamentary approval.
The implications are significant for government transparency and the rule of law. Ghanaian decision-makers and financial markets will closely watch how the government responds to these allegations. A full accounting of the GHS 350 million disbursement is likely to be demanded. Parliament's future oversight role on public funds could also be debated.
The Minority argues that the Attorney General failed his constitutional duty. Article 88 of the Constitution states the Attorney General advises the government and handles civil proceedings against the state. Ms. Appiagyei said Dr. Ayine's letter of July 1, 2026, admits failure on both fronts. As the officer responsible for civil proceedings, he should have acted when the Contingency Fund became subject to court action. There is no indication he resisted the attachment or sought to discharge it.
The caucus contends that if the GHS 350 million was drawn from an account other than the Contingency Fund, parliamentary approval for the Contingency Fund withdrawal was bypassed. This would mean that an unapproved withdrawal was executed. Such an action would violate the Constitution and the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921). Act 921 criminalises unauthorised withdrawals of public funds.
The Minority not only demands Dr. Ayine's resignation but also calls for President John Dramani Mahama to remove him if he refuses. They base this on the President's sworn oath to preserve and defend the Constitution. They also demand that the Attorney General and the Finance Minister appear before Parliament. They must account for the transaction and present all relevant records, including the garnishee order and the full suit record.