Vetting Committee Chairman Appears Before Bribery Committee

The commission set up by Parliament to investigate bribery allegations against some members of the Vetting Committee has begun sitting with Joseph Osei-Owusu, vetting committee chairman, being the first witness to appear before it.

Three minority MPs have alleged that there were attempts to bribe them as members of the Appointments Committee to push through the Minister’s nomination.

Mr. Osei-Owusu, who doubles as the first Deputy Speaker of Parliament was questioned about his alleged role in the scandal.

He is alleged to have attempted to bribe each of the Minority members on the committee with GH¢3,000.00, the money is said to have come from Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko.

Joseph Osei-Owusu in his account said he was shocked at how the issue had been exaggerated.

He has denied the allegation and still stands by his initial comments that the issue is not true.

MP for Essikado Ketan, Joe Ghartey, Chairman for the alleged Bribery Committee has given members of the committee up to Friday to submit any form of evidence for probing.

He was speaking during the first public hearing of the committee in Accra.

It may be recalled that, the Speaker of Parliament Aaron Mike Oquaye constituted a five-member committee chaired by Joe Ghartey to probe bribery allegations made by some members of the minority in parliament. 

NDC Member of Parliament for Bawku Central Mahama Ayariga alleged that the Energy Minister Agyarko sent money to the minority side in an attempt to influence their decision on his approval after he was vetted for the position.


GBC