Speaker constitutes nine-member committee to probe uniBank, UT Bank collapse

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has set up a nine-member committee to look into a petition presented to the House by two majority shareholders of uniBank and UT Bank.

The petition called for an investigation into the conduct of the Bank of Ghana and the Ghana Stock Exchange in the revocation of the licences of the financial institutions.

After the petition was brought before the Speaker by Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga, a seven-member committee was formed.

The decision was, however, revised on Tuesday by the Speaker.

The First Deputy Speaker and Member of Parliament (MP) for Bekwai, Joseph Osei-Wusu will chair the committee.

“It is directed to consider the petitions and duly report to the House at the commencement of the Second Meeting. The Committee is composed in consultation with leadership”, the Speaker noted.

Other members are Alexander Afenyo- Markin (MP, Effutu), Joe Ghartey (MP, Essikado-Ketan), Patrick Yaw Boamah (MP, Okaikwei Central), Samuel Atta-Akyea (MP, Abuakwa South), James Klutse Avedzi (MP, Ketu North), Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson (MP, Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam), Isaac Adongo (MP, Bolagtanga Central), and Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare (MP, Techiman North).

Objection to committee

Before the committee was formed, some Majority members kicked against the Parliamentary probe because of the ongoing litigation involving one of the banks.

The Okaikoi Central MP, Patrick Boamah, predicted that the petition will achieve no result as the House had no power to intervene.

The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensa-Bonsu, also wanted the Speaker, Alban Bagbin to reconsider the planned inquiry into the dissolution of the banks.

He made the point that the committee’s work would impair the adjudication of the two cases currently before the Supreme Court.

But Alban Bagbin in a detailed report assured that admitting and laying of the petitions will not be a contravention.