MPs angry

Members of Ghana’s 200-member Parliament Monday got infuriated about reports of bribery allegations leveled against some members serving on tender boards either in Parliament or at the district level.

The matter, which drew some comments from MPs when they sat on Monday, was referred by the Speaker, Peter Ala Adjetey to the Privileges Committee of the House.

A former Member of Parliament for Wassa Mpohor, Madam Mary Stella Ankomah, at a training of trainers workshop for district assembly members and aspirants from the Christian Mothers Association at Ho.

Madam Ankomah was quoted as saying that members of Tender Boards, either in Parliament or at the district level, take bribes from lobbyists before approving their tenders. She alleged that corruption is high within committees of Parliament and tender boards of the district assemblies to the extent that being a member of a committee ot a tender board is highly sought for.

The report said Madam Ankomah admitted that she was bribed on several occasions as a member of a Parliamentary Committee (which she refused to disclose) and a member of the District Assembly Tender Board by lobbyists who wanted their deals to go through.

Commenting on Madam Ankomah’s allegations, the Members described the allegation as contempt of court. Nii Adu Darku Mante, MP for Klottey Korle drew the attention of the House to the publication when he referred to the story in the Ghanaian Times.

First deputy Speaker, Freddie Blay and the deputy Minority Leader, I.K. Adjei-Mensah said the issue should be referred to the leadership of the House to investigate.

The deputy Majority Leader, Abraham Ossei-Aidoo described the report as scandalous and an affront to the dignity of the House and therefore suggested that the matter should be referred to the relevant committee to handle.

Deputy Minister for Local Government, Captain Nkrabea Effah-Dartey supported the idea that the matter be referred to the Privileges Committee of the House.

Speaker Ala Adjetey said people who should know better make all sorts of comments, which cast a slur on the integrity of Parliament,, and that there is no ambiguity in the publication. He agreed therefore that the matter be referred to the Privileges Committee for investigation and action.

He said if members are found to have indulged in such malpractices they should be dealt with but if they are proven innocent, they should be exonerated.