The House of Representatives cites the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Samuel D. Tweah, to appear before it today, Thursday December 7, to provide reason why he should not be held in contempt for repeated unexcused absences before the August Body.
The plenary took the decision Tuesday, December 5, 2023, after Minister Tweah again failed to honor another citation of the body to appear along with his principal deputies, in continuation of deliberations on national issues of concern.
Raising a motion, Rep. Gray stated, “Honorable Speaker, Co-presiding and colleagues. I move, if I could obtain a second, that a communication be sent to the finance minister, from the office of our Chief Clerk, that he appears here on Thursday, at 10AM with his lawyer, to show reason why he should not be held in contempt” he sought a second to his motion.
“Contempt of the Legislature shall consist of actions which obstruct the Legislative function or which obstruct or impede members or officers of the Legislature in the discharge of their Legislative duties. It is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 and/or imprisonment in a common jail for not more than one month or the duration of the current session of the House after a hearing consistent with due process of law. Decisions rendered from contempt charges are not appealable,” Rule 4 of the House of Representatives states.
Prior to the latest decision by the House of Representatives, Minister Tweah had been previously invited to appear before that august body on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.
Minister Tweah was cited in order to address pressing budgetary and its related matters.
Despite repeated citations, the finance minister failed to appear thus raising concerns about transparency and accountability about the country’s financial status.
The House views this repeated absence as a matter of contempt and demands that the Minister show cause for such persistent non-compliance with legislative citations, but this time, he has to come along with his lawyer.
