Ghana’s lawmaking chamber has been rocked by a bribery allegation scandal, weeks into the tenure of the country’s new president, Nana Akufo-Addo. Local media Starr FM in Accra reported that some members of parliament sitting on a committee to vet appointees of the new president alleged that there were attempts by some of the new appointees to bribe them.
The MPs making the allegation are from the opposition political party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The country’s energy minister, Boakye Agyarko who was vetted but had the approval of his nomination delayed is alleged to have attempted bribing the MPs, a claim he has denied.
On Tuesday a five-member ad hoc committee was set up by Ghana’s Parliament to investigate the scandal.
Starr FM reported that the Speaker Prof. Mike Oquaye ruled in favour of the setting up the “special committee” assuring that nothing will be “swept” under the carpet.
But civil society groups in Ghana have called for an independent committee outside Ghana’s parliament to probe the scandal.
Ghana continues to struggle to tackle corruption among public office holders. Corruption was a major issue in last year’s presidential elections which was won by the new president, Akufo-Addo. He has promised to tackle the menace without hesitation.
Source: Africafeeds.com