Ken Kuranchie backs Bagbin: Some MPs take bribe

Editor of the Daily Searchlight Newspaper, Ken Kuranchie, believes there is an iota of truth in the bribery allegation made by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Nadowli/Kaleo, Hon. Alban S.K. Bagbin, that some Members of Parliament (MPs) take bribes.

According to him, MPs are just like any other Ghanaian capable of taking bribes, adding that just like the President can be accused of corruption, MPs are not exempted.

Mr. Kuranchie sees no reason why Hon. Bagbin should be demeaned in public for saying the truth about what sometimes transpire in the Parliament House.

Hon. Alban Bagbin, who was speaking at a two-day seminar in Koforidua to representatives of 40 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), is reported to have said that some Members of Parliament (MPs) take bribes to articulate the views of some individuals and organisations on the floor of Parliament.

“The reality is that MPs are Ghanaians and there is evidence that some MPs take bribes and come to the floor and try to articulate the views of their sponsors.

“…This is because, in Ghana, we have not developed what we call lobbying. There are rules; there are ethics regarding lobbying and we in Ghana think that lobbying is taking money, giving it to MPs and writing pieces for them to go articulate on the floor. That is bribery,” he said.

However, Alban Bagbin’s comment has generated heated debate among parliamentarians themselves.

But discussing the issue on Adom FM, Ken Kuranchie stated that; “We always allege that there is corruption in the media, the police service and ministers etc. I have personally accused President Mahama of being corrupt…just as some also accused Ex-President Kufuor and Rawlings. But why should we create the sacrosanct that MPs cannot be corrupt? They live in the Ghanaian society”.

He, however, alleged that; “Some MPs take bribe, Bagbin has already given the evidence. During the Merchant Bank sale, some MPs took bribe”.