The Africa Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) has called for an independent investigation into allegations of financial payments involving Parliament’s Appointments Committee.
The call follows revelations by Deputy Minority Leader and Asokwa MP Patricia Appiagyei that she rejected GH¢70,000 allegedly sent to her by the Majority Chief Whip through the Minority Chief Whip.
Patricia Appiagyei said she turned down the money because she did not want to personally benefit from the vetting of members of the governing side’s leadership.
Reacting to the development, ACEPA Executive Director Dr Rasheed Draman commended the MP for rejecting the money but said the incident raises serious concerns about the integrity of Parliament’s vetting process.
In an interview, Dr Draman questioned whether such payments are a common practice within the Appointments Committee or other parliamentary committees.
He said the Appointments Committee plays an important role in scrutinising presidential nominees and checking executive power, warning that allegations of financial inducements could damage public confidence in the process.
He therefore called for a thorough investigation to determine whether such payments are widespread.
“The important question that we should all ask is, is it a practice that is pervasive within this committee as well as other committees of Parliament? And if so, maybe this is the time to really clean this up,” he said.
Dr Draman urged Parliament to use the latest revelation as an opportunity to address concerns about the conduct of its committees and strengthen transparency in the vetting process.
“I think the cat is out of the bag, and Parliament would need to seriously look into this. So that if it’s a practice that is pervasive, steps will need to be taken to correct it,” he added.
He suggested that Parliament could establish an ad hoc committee to investigate the matter, with support from eminent Ghanaians who have no direct interest in the controversy.
“We need maybe a group of eminent Ghanaians who can join with maybe an ad hoc committee that Parliament can set up,” Dr Draman said.
