“I Am Qualified to Chair the Public Accounts Committee” — Abena Osei Asare
PAC Chairperson says parliamentary safeguards prevent conflicts of interest, ensuring fairness and transparency in oversight.
- Abena Osei Asare says she is qualified to lead the committee
- Standing orders and internal measures prevent conflicts of interest
- She cedes chairmanship on reports linked to her tenure to maintain impartiality
The Chairperson of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Abena Osei Asare, has defended her right to lead the committee, affirming that she is qualified and committed to maintaining the integrity of the role.
In an interview on Monday, November 10, Mrs. Osei Asare explained that the selection of committee chairs is determined by party caucuses in Parliament. “The Committee Chairs are selected by the parties and the leadership of the respective caucuses. My caucus chose me to head the Public Accounts Committee, and I am both qualified and willing to serve in this role,” she stated.
Addressing concerns about a possible conflict of interest, Mrs. Osei Asare emphasized that PAC has internal measures to ensure impartiality and that no member can influence the Auditor-General’s reports. “There is no conflict of interest because the Public Accounts Committee is traditionally chaired by an opposition member. Parliament has also put measures in place to prevent such issues,” she explained.
She added that parliamentary standing orders, particularly Order 2294, provide guidance for situations where a chairperson previously served in government during the period under review. In such cases, she cedes chairmanship responsibilities to the ranking member to maintain fairness. “For reports pertaining to 2024, when I was in government, I consistently hand over proceedings to the ranking member. This ensures proper accountability and transparency,” she said.
Her statements come in response to a petition by MP Kwame Asare Obeng, also known as A Plus, calling for her removal from the PAC chairmanship. In his petition dated November 3, the MP argued that her previous role as Deputy Minister of Finance during the audit period constitutes a conflict of interest that could undermine the committee’s credibility.
The controversy has reignited public debate about the independence and impartiality of parliamentary oversight committees, especially those responsible for scrutinizing public finances.
