The Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, (MOPA) Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has disclosed that the leadership of Parliament is expected to review the code of conduct of Members of Parliament and also ensure that committee sittings are held in Accra in a bid to address corruption issues facing the legislature.
The first session of the seventh Parliament was riddled with allegations of bribery and corruption among some Committee Members of Parliament was affected the image of the legislature.
The infamous one being, the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga accusing the Minority Chief Whip Muntaka Mubarak of collecting bribe money from the Chairman of the Appointment Committee of Parliament Joe Osei Owusu out of which he distributed ?3,000 each to Minority members on the committee.
He said they collected the monies initially thinking it was a sitting allowance but returned it after they learned it was a bribe money paid on behalf of Boakye Agyarko to bribe them to approve the Energy Minister nominee at the time.
Subsequently, the Speaker of Parliament set up a committee, led by Joe Ghartey to rule on it, with the accuser made to apologise.
Speaking at a media soiree for members of the Parliamentary press corps, Mr Mensah-Bonsu was asked what his ministry would do to redeem the image of Parliament as far as allegations of corruption was concern in the last Parliament.
He explained that; “Parliament is presently reviewing all code of conduct and also all committee sittings to be held in Accra. These will help us to address corruption issues facing Parliament.”
According to the Minister, the rebirth of MOPA, will help demystify governance and send it to the doorstep of the people.
He also added that the Ministry’s is central to the evolution of the country’s democracy and that their mandate will enhance, hasten and entrench democracy. “We are encouraging more participation and we will also serve as an interface between the Executive and Parliament.”
Furthermore, MOPA will also coordinate the executive of government business on the floor of the Parliament and also expected to collaborate with the media to inform and serve as a feedback conduit.
Source: GhanaWeb
