Bribery scandal: Ghartey committee begins probe Wednesday

The five-member ad-hoc committee composed to probe the bribery scandal that has hit the Appointments Committee of Parliament will start work on Wednesday, February 15.

“The Special Committee on allegations against the chairman and some members of the Appointments Committee is to start its first public hearing from Wednesday, February 15 – Friday, February 17, 2017,” a statement from the Joe Ghartey-led Committee has noted.

The Committee is expected to thoroughly investigate the bribery charge leveled against the leadership of the Appointments Committee by Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga.'

Ruling in favor of the setting up of the committee, the Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Mike Oquaye assured that nothing will be swept under the carpet although the committee members are made up of legislators. The Committee has four weeks to conclude its investigations.

The Statement further added that the public hearing will be held at the speaker’s conference room.

Mr. Ayariga last month alleged that each member of the committee on the minority side was offered  GHc3000 to approve the nomination of Boakye Agyarko, Energy minister.

According to him, the bribery attempt was made through the chairman of the committee, and that the money was given to the minority caucus through its chief whip, Muntaka Mubarak.

Both Alhaji Mubarak and Joe Osei-Owusu, the chairman of the committee  have denied the allegations.