News:
March 11, 2014
Outspoken Member of Parliament for Assin Central Ken Ohene Agyepong has launched a scathing attack on Parliament for refusing to release funds to facilitate the work of various Parliamentary Committees.
According to him, the lack of funds has resulted in a situation where other agencies outside parliament sponsor activities of committees leaving the MPs compromised and sometimes ineffective in the performance of their duties.
The tough-talking MP was reacting to comments made by former Minority Leader Alban Bagbin who over the weekend alleged that there was evidence to show that some MPs take bribes to push the agenda of civil society groups and governments.
According to him, the practice had persisted due to the lack of laid-down rules and ethics for lobbying in the country. His comments has generated a lot of debate with Civil society organizations calling for investigations into the matter to ascertain the truth or otherwise of his statement.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem Tuesday Morning, Hon. Ken Ohene Agyepong threw his support behind Mr Bagbin’s for his comment and further called for further probing into the matter.
He wondered why Parliament unduly delays in releasing funds for committees to work when indeed budget has been approved in that regard.
“For instance the Communications Committee of Parliament of which I’m the Ranking Member most of the time is sponsored by the National Communications Authority (NCA) to most trips while our funds allocated to us sits in Parliament unreleased” he said.
“You have a committee meeting in Koforidua, Parliament does not release funds for you to undertake the trip, an organization bears the cost involved, pays your hotel bills, feeds you and gives cash as transportation, and their issues or a Bill the company is sponsoring comes before you in Parliament, would you not be biased as human as we are” Hon. Ken Agyepong quizzed?
He called for the strengthening of Parliament as the second estate of the realm to enable it effectively perform its constitutional duties while the MPs are treated with the dignity they deserve.
Kwadwo Anim/Ghanamps.gov,gh