General News of Friday, 14 May 2004

Source: Peace FM

Saloon Loan Saga: Osafo Maafo & Kyeremanteng on the ropes

Minority spokesman of Finance, Hon Moses Asaga, has stated that, he will lose the trust he had in the Ministers of Finance and Economic Planning, and Trade Industry and President?s Special Initiatives, if it becomes clear that the two hid something from him and other members of the House, before the passage of the $300 million dollar CNT loan agreement.

Hon Asaga said, he had great respect for the two gentlemen, being Hon Yaw Osafo Maafo and Mr Allan Kyeremanteng, respectively. Speaking to Peace FM on Thursday, 13th May, 2004, Hon Asaga said, it would be very unfortunate if the minority find out that the executive has hidden some information concerning the CNT loan, and then rushed the house to vote on it.

According to Hon Asaga, there was nothing wrong with the loan technically, adding that it may be that the Minority did not check its background properly. He refuted claims that members of the house were pressurized by government to pass the loan agreement. He however stated that, the agreement was rushed on them, for passage.

Hon Asaga said, since it is one of their responsibilities to submit themselves to test by the people they represent, it will be appropriate to do so if the masses so require, even to the extent of taking a second look at the loan.