Cash-for-seat: Committee clears Trade and Industry Ministry

The Five-member Committee mandated to investigate the “Cash for Seat” saga has dismissed the allegation brought against the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Millennium Excellence Foundation, organisers of the Ghana Expatriate Business Awards.

According to the Committee, there is no merit in the allegation levelled against the Ministry and the Foundation.

Mr Kwesi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, the Chairman of the Committee, presenting the final report to Parliament, said the evidence from the mover of the motion and the one who seconded it were full of speculation, which the Committee could not accept.

He, however, said the Committee, after its sittings, examination and assessment of evidence given before it, came to a conclusion that there was no value in the accusations made against the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

“The Committee, after the hearings, analysis and evaluation of the evidence adduced before it, has come to the conclusion that there is no merit in the allegations levelled against the Ministry of Trade and Industry as contained in the motion and which culminated in the setting up of the Special Committee,” he said.

The Minority had earlier walked out of Parliament to avoid being part of the debate to approve and adopt the report of the Committee, which probed extortion claims against the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Leader, ahead of the boycott, said there was no need to rush the report since Members of Parliament (MPs) were yet to study it.

“I got a copy of my report only this morning and it’s only fair and proper...why the rush and why are you in a hurry? 146-page report in the interest of transparency and accountability, this matter cannot be railroaded through Parliament,” he said.

Mr Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, the Majority Leader, criticised the Minority for attempting to scuttle the “Cash for Seat” Report before Parliament.

He said the debate on the Committee’s Report would proceed with or without the Minority.

Mr Kyei Mensah-Bonsu said the Minority MPs have been pampered for too long and continue to be dishonest to the House.

“This House will not be held to ransom by a single individual who decides to be very dishonest. Mr Speaker this House will not pander to pedestrianism…clearly

The Committee was setup by Speaker Aaron Mike Oquaye after he was petitioned in a motion submitted by the Minority Chief Whip, Alhaji Muntaka Ibrahim Mohammed, and seconded by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency.

The bi-partisan Committee, chaired by Sunyani East MP Kwasi Ameyaw- Cheremeh, began sitting on Thursday, January 11.

Aside Alhaji Muntaka and Mr Ablakwa, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, the Millennium Excellence Foundation (MEF) President, Ashim Morton, MEF Board Chairman, Ambassador Victor Gbeho, and the Controller and Accountant General, Eugene Asante Ofosuhene, were among the persons who appeared before the Committee.