Parliament Recalled to Discuss ‘Sale’ of Seats to Expats

Parliament has been recalled to attend an emergency sitting on Friday to consider a motion for a parliamentary probe into the purported sale of seats at an event for participants to sit close to the President.

A statement signed by the Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, said: “In pursuance of Article 112 (3) of the Constitution of the Republic and Order 38 (1) of the Standing Orders of Parliament, I do hereby summon Parliament to sit on Friday, January 5, 2018 at twelve o’clock noon at Parliament.”

The recall of the members is in response to a memo filed by the Minority Chief Whip, Alhaji

Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, and the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

Allegation

The allegation is that the Ministry of Trade and Industry was involved in the collection of between $15,000 and $100,000 from expatriate businessmen to secure some of them seats at

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo’s table at an awards ceremony held on December 8, 2017.

Following the allegation of corruption against the ministry, the Presidency initiated an investigation into the matter by seeking explanations from the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Alan Kyerematen.

After the investigation, the Presidency cleared the Ministry of Trade and Industry of any wrongdoing in the matter.

Memo

But the memo signed by Alhaji Muntaka and Mr Ablakwa called on Parliament to take urgent action on the matter to consider a motion for a parliamentary probe into the purported sale of seats for participants to sit close to the President.

Source: Graphic