Bribery scandal: Minority not divided – Rashid Pelpuo

Wa Central MP Rashid Pelpuo has parried suggestions that there are divisions within the Minority in parliament.

Following the bribery scandal that rocked parliament recently, legislators from the Minority have given different accounts of alleged bribery allegations.

Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga had alleged that then-Energy Minister-designate Boakye Agyarko had offered cash through Appointments Committee chairman Joe Osei-Owusu, to be shared among Minority MPs on the committee.

Mr Ayariga had alleged that GHS3000 was paid to each of the NDC MPs by Minority Chief Whip Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, an amount they thought was sitting allowance for MPs on the committee, but returned the monies when they heard a rumour that the amount had actually come from Mr Agyarko to influence them to endorse his nomination as minister.

Mr Osei-Owusu and Mr Muntaka have both denied the allegation.

Responding to suggestions that the Minority front seems to be divided, Mr Pelpuo told Moro Awudu on Class FM’s Executive Breakfast Show: “It is too early to say that [there are divisions]. Let us wait and see what happens.”

He has, however, suggested the allegations be probed thoroughly to its logical conclusion to protect the image of parliament “so that at the end we can have parliament that you can trust and represents your interest”.