Charge Muntaka for causing financial loss – Alan

Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten, Minister of Trade and Industry, wants Parliament, and by extension the state, to explore the possibilities of charging Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, Minority Chief Whip for wilfully causing financial loss to the state.

According to him, the recall of Parliament during their Christmas break following the Member of Parliament’s motion has incurred costs.

Mr Keyermanten made the statement in Parliament after the five-member committee had dismissed allegation brought against the Ministry of Trade and Industry and adopted Committee the report.

He was also in Parliament to convey his Ministry’s gratitude to House for following due diligence in probing the matter.

The Speaker, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, setup a five-member Committee to look into Alhaji Muntaka’s motion, seconded by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, which accused the Trade Ministry of illegally levying expatriate business owners at an awards ceremony.

After many weeks of public hearing, the committee on Tuesday presented its report, though not without drama as the Minority walked out of the House.

Mr Kyeremanten in appreciating the work of the committee begged of the Speaker to make comments about Alhaji Muntaka, Mr Okudzeto, James Klutse Avedzi and Dr Dominic Ayine who were key the actors in the “drama”.

About Muntaka, he added that his documents presented to the committee “on oath” were “fraudulent” and “it could be a matter that can be properly interrogated”.

Mr Kyeremanten expressed worry about, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu, barometer of the country’s international image as a result of the allegations.

He argued that the opinion of the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, whom he described as the Rising Star of the Minority, cannot constitute the entirety of the international community.

About Dr Ayine, the Trade Minister said all the documents that were not substantiated during the public hearings found their ways into the Minority’s counter report released on Friday.

Mr Kyeremanten also accused Mr Avedzi of working so hard to fault the Ministry of using public accounts for private funds.

“How are citizens protected by the acts and omissions of honourable members?” Mr Kyerematen queried. GNA