Ayariga's Tertiary School Fees Suspension, A Political Expediency-Obuasi MP

The Member of Parliament for Obuasi West constituency who doubles as the Deputy Minister of finance in charge of revenue under Akufo Addo's first term in office, Mr. Kwaku Agyemang Kwarteng has disclosed that Mahama Ayariga's motion to suspend the payment of tertiary school fees was borne out of political expediency and not a genuine concern for the students.

M.P for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga raised a motion in Parliament to suspend the payment of fees by tertiary students but met the surprise of his life after the motion was debated on and subsequently voted against by the majority caucus in Parliament last Thursday.

Mr. Kwaku Kwarteng explained that the motion was contradictory to the Article 108(b) of the 1992 constitution which states that 'Parliament should not proceed upon a motion, including an amendment to a motion, the effect of which, in the opinion of the person presiding, would be to make provision for any of the purpose specified in paragraph(a) of this article."

He also added that all monies being spent now were captured in the last budget reading and it's against the laws of the nation to spend unbudgeted money and whoever does that can be jailed.

Mr. Kwaku Kwarteng said he prompted Mahama Ayariga when he first raised the motion but because it was for political gains, he turned death ears to it. He further said, in the case that Parliament approved the motion, a citizen could have sued Parliament and the decision would've been overturned.

 He, however, disclosed that all hopes are not lost as representatives of the tertiary students can request assistance from the government which will be captured in the next budget if their plea is found worthy by the government.

The Obuasi West lawmaker made these revelations to Shaft FM's morning show last Friday, monitored by soireenews.com.

Kofi Wusu Brempong, Obuasi Correspondent