The Leadership of Parliament is to look into the damaging allegation that lawmakers accept inducements to articulate the views of their benefactors in the Legislature.
The State-Owned Daily Graphic newspaper in its Monday, March 10 edition reported that the MP for Nadoli/Kaleo, Mr Alban Bagbin at a workshop in Koforidua over the weekend alleged that some legislators received bribes to express the views of some individuals and organizations on the floor of Parliament.
Dr Benjamin Kunbuor, MP for Nandom and Majority Leader told the House on Tuesday that the leadership had scheduled a meeting with the Speaker to deliberate on the matter after the Member for Shai Osudoku, David Asumeng raised the issue on the floor of Parliament.
The matter has incensed legislators who insisted the issue should be thoroughly perused because it impugned the integrity of the Parliament.
Mr Bagbin in the said publication also alleged that there was evidence to prove the practice existed and that it flourished because of the lack of laid-down rules and ethics on lobbying in the country.
The issue has become topical since it broke with civil society organizations and politicians alike throwing their spotlight on Parliament, also demanding an inquest into those allegations to ensure that the Legislature is not held in contempt.
But Second Deputy Speaker and MP for Esikadu/Ketan, Joe Ghartey assured the angered lawmakers that the “matter would not be swept under the carpet.”
Mr Bagbin was not in Parliament when the matter was raised, but Dr Kunbuor told the House that the MP would be summoned to substantiate his claim.
Source: vibeghana
