The Member of Parliament for Asikuma-Odoben- Brakwa, P.C. Appiah Ofori, has described President John Mahama’s rejection of the new pay increase for the executive arm of government as dishonest.
“At first I praised him because he said he wasn’t interested but when I heard this, I said he is dishonest and doesn’t deserve to be president,” the legislator said on Accra based citi Fm.
A statement from the Presidency has requested Parliament to review the executive emoluments approved last week, to align more realistically with the original recommendations by the Professor Ewuraama Addy Committee.
Mr. Appiah Ofori said the documents presented by the majority to Parliament for approval originated from the President’s office hence he cannot claim ignorance. “The document originated from his office to Parliament. Parliament did not manufacture the report. If the government brings business, documents are addressed to the Speaker and the Clerk of Parliament causes it to be laid and referred to a committee,” he said.
He also opined, “Since this is a financial matter, it will be referred to the financial committee, who will deliberate on it and jump to the floor of the House with its report recommending adjustments, rejection or approval,” adding that “with any report of that nature which originates from the Presidency to parliament, all MPs are given copies, however, the one being referred to came to the Speaker and majority leader without any MP seeing it.”
“If the president is saying this, then he is fraudulent. The document came from him. Even if it was wrong, why did he bring it?” Appiah Ofori questioned.