Committee investigating parliamentary bribery scandal hits snag again

The ad hoc committee of Parliament tasked to investigate a bribery allegation involving some members of its Appointments Committee and the Energy Minister has hit yet another jolt.

The committee has not been able to start its work due to the absence of one of its members who is on official assignment outside the country.

The five-member committee chaired by former Attorney General, Joe Ghartey, 3FM 92.7 gathered would have to be reconstituted to enable it investigate the bribery allegation made by some Members of Parliament. 3FM’s parliamentary correspondent, Mercydalyne Lokko reported Tuesday that the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was expected to lay a motion in Parliament for the reconstitution of the committee.

A member of the committee Ama Pomaa Boateng who is the MP for Juaben is on official assignment at the ECOWAS parliament in Nigeria as a member of the sub regional body. She is expected to be replaced by Abena Durowaa Mensah, the Member of Parliament for Assin North.

It is however not clear if the ad hoc committee will start sitting tomorrow February 15, 2017 after it was first postponed due to absence of the key witness Maham Ayariga, the MP for Bawku Central.

Mr. Ayariga had accused then minister-designate for Energy Boakye Agyarko, of attempting to bribe some members of the Appointments Committee to approve his nomination. The accused has since denied the allegation.

In the wake of the melee, accusations and denials, involving some members of the legislature, the leadership of the House empanelled a five-member committee to investigate the bribery allegation on January 31.