The motion of vote of censure against the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta has failed in Parliament.

A secret vote by Members of Parliament made up of only the Minority in the House failed to receive the right numbers that was expected to kick start the censure.

The Minority voted 136 for the motion.

In his final ruling on the matter, Speaker Bagbin said, ” the vote was 136-0. Now in accordance with Article 82(1) … following the terms of Article 82(1), the vote is accordingly lost.”

The Minority in Parliament required at least 47 from the Majority side and at least two-thirds of the MPs present to succeed.

The Minority members had been calling their colleagues from the Majority side to support them to censure the minister.

Majority walkout

But in a dramatic end to the debate, the Majority side walked out of Parliament.

Before walking out of the House, the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu indicated that his side cannot support the vote of censure.

He said they cannot be part of a process that was baseless and politically motivated.

Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said the censure motion was out of bad faith and only seeks to embarrass the Finance Minister.

“Just like Pontius Pilate, we are washing our hands off the motion,” Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said before leading the Majority side to walkout.