I’ll make my evaluation after Speaker’s ruling on bribery saga - Ayariga

Member of Parliament for the Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga says he is constrained to speak to the Joe Ghartey committee report on the bribery allegation until the Speaker of Parliament rules on the matter.

Speaking on Radio Gold current affairs program, Alhaji and Alhaji Saturday, Mahama Ayariga who was also a former Minister of Environment, Science and Technology in the Mahama administration clarified calls that he has gone into hiding after the release of the report.

“My analysis of other things that have happened I believe will be done after I have heard the ruling of the speaker,” he said.

“Yesterday (Friday) the whole morning I avoided anywhere there were Journalists because I knew most journalists will be looking for me and wanting to extract some comment from me. Later in the afternoon I had a call that I have gone into hiding because I’m so embarrassed after the findings of the committee and I just want to say no…I just wanted to stay away from where Journalists will be,” he stated.

The five-member Joe Ghartey committee investigating the bribery allegation leveled against the Appointments Committee by the MP for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, presented its report to Parliament and recommended sanctions for Mr. Ayariga.

The Committee found Ayariga guilty of contempt of Parliament and aside from the sanctions also asked that he apologizes to the House.

Although Mr. Ayariga apologized, the Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Ocquaye deferred ruling to a later date.

But Mr. Ayariga insists Prof. Oquaye denied him a chance to air his concerns on the final report of the committee which, according to him, raises legal challenges.

In an interview with Samuel Eshun host of the program, Mahama Ayariga expressed confidence in the leadership of the Minority.

“I respect my leader Hon. Haruna Iddrissu. I believe that he is doing his work to the best of his ability. You can have your individual judgement about his ability but I believe he is doing the best of his ability of which I am solidly behind him. I respect him and will work for him as a leader,” he maintained.