The Parliament of Ghana has taken strong exception to an allegation by a Member of Parliament that members who vetted ministerial nominees were given 3,000 cedis each as bribe to approve the president’s nominee for Energy Minister.
Mahama Ayariga, MP for Bawku Central who made that allegation against Boakye Agyarko has been loud on the issue in spite of denials by Agyarko and the Chairman of Parliament’s Appointment Committee.
Mr. Ayariga for instance confirmed on TV3 New Day on Saturday that he stand by his claim.
“I will stand by this fact wherever I go. Hon Muntaka told us that the chairman told him the money is coming from Boakye Agyarko, and we said no we are not interested”.
But a statement signed by Kate Addo, Acting Director of Public Affairs of Parliament, has flatly denied the allegation describing it as frivolous.
“Parliament has noted with grave concern, allegations that the Leadership and Members of the Appointments Committee have been bribed by some of the President’s nominees to facilitate the recommendation of approval of their nomination as ministers to the House,” the statement said.
It further noted, “Parliament will like to state categorically and without any equivocation that these allegations are frivolous and vexatious, and should be discarded.”
The statement pointed out that the house “abhors” such allegations that have the tendency to bring the institution into disrepute.
“Therefore extreme care is taken and thorough background checks are made before chairpersons to the various committees are appointed. This is to ensure that the work they oversee are meticulously carried,” it cautioned.
“Parliament will therefore like to state that no such event has taken place and anybody having any information to the contrary must resort the laws of the land and take the appropriate action for redress.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Ayariga has expressed surprised at the statement issued by the public relations department of Parliament discrediting his claims without granting him hearing in the first place.
By Isaac Essel |3news.com | Ghana