[ 2017-02-02 ]

Executive Secretary Beauty Emefa Nartey

Anti-corruption group criticises Joe Ghartey's selection
Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) says former
Attorney-General, Joe Ghartey should not have been
appointed to chair parliament's ad-hoc committee
on the alleged bribery scandal.

Executive Secretary Beauty Emefa Nartey tells Joy
News the Member of Parliament (MP) for Essikado
could have been a member but not a chair.

The Speaker of Parliament has set up a five-member
committee to probe the allegations of bribery
against some members of the Appointments
Committee.

Professor Ocquaye explained that the committee has
become necessary because of the weight of the
allegation made by Bawku Central Member of
Parliament (MP) Mahama Ayariga.

Upholding Standing Orders 191 which advises the
formation of the special committee to investigate
any matter of public importance, the Speaker
announced the formation of high-powered
parliamentary special committee to investigate the
matter.

The committee members as suggested by the Majority
Leader Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, agreed to by the
Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu and approved by the
Speaker are; Essikadu/Ketan MP, Joe Ghartey as
Chairman; Offinso South MP Ben Abdallah Banda;
Juaben MP, Ama Pomaa Boateng; Talensi MP, Benson
Tongo Baba; Yilo Krobo MP, Magnus Kofi Amoatey

The terms of reference given the Special Committee
are;

(a) To establish if First Deputy Speaker Joseph
Osei Owusu took money from Energy Minister Boakye
Agyarko and gave it to Minority Chief Whip Alhaji
Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka.

(b) To do an internal inquiry to find out whether
there were attempts to bribe members of
Appointments Committee

(d) To look into the remit of complaints and
assertions made by First Deputy Speaker about the
matter.

But Madam Nartey says his position must not
compromise the outcome of the investigation into
the bribery scandal.

She cites the judiciary investigating itself
during the corruption scandal as an example saying
because its work was not bias the outcome was
accepted by all leading to the Chief Justice
taking action to sack some judges.

"His selection gives the indication that
parliament may not have enough people to do that
work with its 275 parliamentarians," she said.

She told Joy News' Hannah Odarmey that considering
the fact that there has been an earlier allegation
of bribery and corruption concerning parliament,
this was an opportunity to "clear itself of the
issue that people are accusing it of."

Madam Nartey believes this will clear all doubts
and perception about the august house of
legislators.

"Parliament has a higher standard to behold and
now that the committee has been set up, the
outcome should be something that would not create
any doubt in anyone's mind that it is
compromised," she stated.

Source - Myjoyonline.com

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