Cash-for-seat: Minority caused financial loss – Alan Kyerematen

The Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, says members of the Minority who championed the recall of Parliament, culminating in the setting up of a bi-partisan committee to probe the cash-for-seat allegations, have caused financial loss to the state.

He said the emergency recall of the house to discuss the matter was unnecessary.

“It may be possible that the associated cost for recalling this may be a case of causing financial loss.”

The Minister’s comment comes after a committee set up to investigate the infamous cash-for-seat saga exonerated him in its report.

The committee, chaired by the Member of Parliament for Sunyani East Constituency, Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, presented its report to the house on Tuesday after taking evidence from all witnesses in the matter.

Alan Kyerematen, in a statement after the House considered the report, despite a minority walkout, said the Minority could be cited for causing financial loss to the state since all their evidence turned out to be false.

He chided MPs such as Muntaka Mubarak, Dominic Ayine and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa for peddling falsehood.

He further called on parliament to investigate the case of the Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak, who, he said, presented a fake document as an exhibit before the ad-hoc committee.

“If an Honourable Member submitted a document which has been proven to be fraudulent and this was submitted under oath, it may be a case that needs to be properly investigated. Mr Speaker, it is also on record that during the session of Honourable Muntaka, he submitted evidence of a document that has been proven to be fraudulent because an invitation that was supposed to have been authored by the Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry now had photocopies on the back of that letter, a sponsorship package.

“The recipients of this document have given evidence on oath that they received the sponsorship package separately from the letter of invitation.”

While commending the committee for the “excellent” and “comprehensive” work, Alan Kyerematen expressed regret about what the brouhaha over the matter had done to Ghana’s image.