General News of Tuesday, 7 March 2017
Source: Myjoyonline.com
2017-03-07
Chairman of the Ghartey Committee, Joe Ghartey
Leaders of the two dominant political parties in Parliament have urged the Special Investigative Committee to release its report on the bribery allegation.
At a joint press briefing in Accra Tuesday, leaders of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Parliament said they want finality on the bribery claim.
Majority leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, said they are awaiting the Committee’s report latest next in order to take the next decision on the matter.
Although he wants an immediate release of the report, Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu said the Committee deserves to be given the necessary space and time to come out with a complete report.
The Committee’s investigation into the bribery allegation made by Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga comes to an end because its four-week duration expired over the weekend.
Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko is alleged to have given the money to First Deputy Speaker Joe Osei Owusu who intend gave the money out to some MPs. Minority Chief Whip Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka whose name was also cited in the issue has denied receiving any money from Mr Osei Owusu.
Sections of Ghanaians are surprised at the Tuesday’s joint press conference by the Minority and Majority considering the acrimony that has characterised their work in the past.
Mr Kyei Mensah Bonsu told Evans Mensah on Joy FM’s Top Story programme that the NPP and NDC are not significantly different in terms of political ideology. He explained their joint action which would be taking place every week is in line with their belief that they cannot remain antagonistic towards each other at the expense of the country’s interest.
But NDC Deputy General Secretary, Koku Anyidohu said the party has not sanctioned any “cozy” relationship between the MPs of the two parties.
“The party has taken no decision,” he said adding they are not against any form of collaboration so far as it does not compromise the position of the NDC. “What was done today has to do with post-budget [and] it is nothing that has come to stay,” he said.
“This is a one-off thing.”
