Minority alleges $8.7 million ‘malfeasance’ at Foreign Ministry

The Minority in Parliament is accusing government of inflating the price of a building it bought in Norway to be used as Ghana’s Diplomatic mission.

According to the Minority spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana’s mission purchased the 100-year-old building at a price of $12.21 million when the same building was put up for sale in August 2017 for $3.5 million and in 2014 for $2.9 million.

Mr. Ablakwa is therefore scandalised that Ghana would purchase the building at $8.7 million more than it cost 16 months ago.

Inadmissible Documents

Speaker of the House, Prof. Mike Oquaye however, rejected the claims of the North Tongu MP on basis that the documents he was tendering were not admissible.

“This document is not validated in any manner whatsoever…it cannot be accepted as primary evidence in any court of competent jurisdiction,” the Speaker said.

“If we were to allow such papers, they will reduce debates in this house to a farce,” he added.

Majority reaction

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Frank Annor Dompreh reacted to the NDC MP, referring to his allegations as out of order.

According to Mr. Dompreh, the NDC legislator is jumping the gun because the Foreign Affairs Minister has been written to on the matter.

Scuffle outside the chamber

After sitting on the floor there was an interaction between the Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway and the North Tongu MP, Okudzeto Ablakwa which was disrupted.

MP for Prampram Sam George was capturing the heated interaction on his phone, an action that got the Foreign Minister angry.

source: Myjoyonline