The 8-member investigative committee was set up to determine the circumstances that led to controversial sale of 5 million litres of contaminated fuel to two unlicensed firms.

[contextly_sidebar id=”AUL5ai1AU8zXRiC3zGLIKB8SrhuV9PxD”]It was also tasked to determine the circumstances that created the off-spec product and review the procedures undertaken by BOST to evacuate the product, among others, and subsequently submit its report to Parliament.

According to Mr. Bawa, the committee was given two weeks to conclude its investigations and advise the Minister on the way forward, however after five months since its constitution, the committee’s report is yet to be made public.

The Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko, in assigning reasons for this delay in Parliament, had revealed that members of the committee had asked for extensions to help them bring other experts on board to assist them in their work.

“Mr. Speaker, the committee sat, yes, their report is delaying, but on three occasions, they asked the Ministry for extension in order to bring in pipeline, engineering experts to aid their work. All that Mr. Speaker has been completed as indicated previously, and I can assure you that as soon as the white paper is docked, I will release the report and make them available,” Mr. Boakye Agyarko stated in Parliament.

But Mr. Bawa who is not convinced with Mr. Agyarko’s response, insisted that the committee had not even met, adding that there was no report to submit despite assurances from the Minister.

“Based on certain pieces of information I have gotten from persons close to the Ministry, it is my contention that this committee actually never met and there is no report that exists,” Mr. Bawa insisted.

The MP, on Eyewitness News,  challenged the Minister to “produce a report and give minutes” of the committee’s sittings to prove that it indeed sat.

Bawa’s claims untrue – C’ttee member

Meanwhile, a member of the committee, Kofi Kapito of the Consumer Protection Agency, has dismissed Mr. Bawa’s claims.

Speaking on Eyewitness News, Mr. Kapito said “it is a total lie for Mr. Bawa to suggest that we did not meet as a Committee on the matter.”

“As a member of the committee, I can produce the weeks, the dates and the number of dates that we sat. This is why I am disappointed that a whole MP will have the audacity to make such a statement when he doesn’t have the facts. I was a member of the committee and I have the facts,” Mr. Kapito insisted.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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Mr. Osei-Owusu was the first witness before the committee chaired by the Railways Minister, Joe Ghartey and he was alleged to have attempted to bribe each of the Minority members on the Appointments Committee with GHc 3,000 said to have come from the Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko.

[contextly_sidebar id=”ns5hNECTQATj9Iqqvb2lwWp7sDU65VRH”]The allegations were made by the MP for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga who said  Mr. Agyarko attempted to bribe the Minority members of the Appointments Committee to approve his nomination after a tense vetting session.

The allegation was subsequently supported by two other Minority MPs; Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Alhassan Suhuyini.

Mr. Osei Owusu narrated that he was initially livid at the allegations during a meeting of the committee members but calmed down after he was given the impression by Mr. Ablakwa that the allegations were a mere political retaliation to Mr, Agyarko’s insinuation, during his vetting, that President John Mahama was corrupt.

“Because Agyarko said our President was corrupt, referring to President John Mahama, we were spreading the corruption allegations. So then the mood in the room changed and we all laughed at it,” he recounted.

“I was insistent that matter be investigated before we leave the room but when he [Ablakwa] said that they created that to spread the corruption I dropped my insistence,” Mr. Osei-Owusu added, as evidenced by his submission on the floor of Parliament in the immediate aftermath of the allegations that evening.

He noted that after this, he expected the allegations to die down but  he was on his way to Kofriudua for the induction course for new MPs when  he “received reports that Mahama Ayariga had taken to social media saying that the allegation he made was true.”

But Mr. Osei Owusu was resolute in his innocence saying, “the allegation that I have taken money from honourable Agyarko whether for myself or for any member of my committee is false. Neither have I discussed anything to do with money with honourable Ayariga or any member for that matter.”

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to the minister, the allegations were only meant to smear him.

A member of the Minority in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, on Friday accused Mr. Agyarko, then a Minister nominee, of attempting to bribe them to have his nomination approved after he noticed they had kicked against his recommendation approval.

The allegation came hours after the Minority had refused to support the approval of Mr Agyarko and Osafo Maafo; Senior Minister nominee, after raising concerns over some statements the two made before the committee during vetting.

The Tamale central legislator in an interview on Accra based Radio Gold, said Mr. Agyarko attempted bribing the ten minority members on the committee  with 3,000 cedis each.

But in an interview with Citi News, Mr Boakye Agyarko said “I have not given a single soul a penny. If anybody can cross the heart and say I have given them money, let them step forward. I say so, that it is not true without the fear of contradiction. It is a fabrication because the allegation is that I said Mahama was corrupt so they also have to smear me to say that I am corrupt and I have not right to accuse Mahama of being corrupt.”

“I am not afraid of man, but if that is how we are going to live our national lives, so be it. But I don’t believe it is the right way.”

Mr Agyarko added that he had engaged his lawyers to look into the substance of the issue and advice appropriately on what action to take.

‘Mahama Ayariga insists there was attempted bribery’

Mahama Ayariga in an interview on the Big Issue insisted that an attempt was made to bribe the members of the committee but he returned the money after gathering the source of the money was Mr Agyarko.

He told host Umaru Sanda Amadu that he had not decided on taking the matter to court but said the Attorney General could take the issue up to court to investigate and prosecute those found culpable since bribery was a criminal offence.

 ‘Parliament denies bribery allegation’

Parliament in a statement on the matter signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Kate Addo, said the allegation is untrue and baseless.

The statement said, “parliament has noted with grave concern, allegations that the Leadership and Members of the Appointments Committee have been bribed by some of the President’s nominees to facilitate the recommendation of approval of their nomination as ministers to the House.”

“Parliament will like to state categorically and without any equivocation that these allegations are frivolous and vexatious, and should be discarded. Parliament attaches a lot of importance to its constitutional duties and abhors practices that will not only affect its work but also bring the institution into disrepute. Therefore extreme care is taken and thorough background checks are made before chairpersons to the various committees are appointed. This is to ensure that the works they oversee are meticulously carried. Parliament will therefore like to state that no such event has taken place and anybody having any information to the contrary must resort to the laws of the land and take the appropriate action for redress,” it said.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The latest to be approved are Senior Minister Nominee; Osafo Maafo , Energy Minister Nominee; Boakye Agyarko, Education Minister Nominee; Matthew Opoku Prempeh,Minister Nominee for Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu and Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Minister Nominee for Agriculture.

Why Minority resisted Agyarko, Osafo Maafo’s approval

The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, had earlier explained that, they needed some “additional information” on statements Osafo Maafo and Boakye Agyarko both made before the Committee during the vetting.

He said Mr. Agyarko provided some “inaccurate” information relating to the “debt associated with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Volta River Authority (VRA).”

But Citi News’ Duke Mensah Opoku reported that Agyarko subsequently withdrew some of his comments, prompting the committee to approve him by consensus.

He added that Mr. Osafo Maafo however stood by his comments but provided additional information to support his claim and was therefore recommended for approval by consensus.

Ayariga accuses Agyarko of bribery

Their approval came hours after a member of the Minority in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, accused Boakye Agyarko of attempting to bribe them, ostensibly to have his nomination approved.

Speaking on Accra based Radio Gold, a member of the Appointment’s Committee, Mahama Ayariga, who made the allegation, said Mr. Agyarko attempted bribing them with 3,000 cedis .

The Bawku Central Legislator believes the money was specifically intended to influence the minority to approve Agyarko’s nomination.

“This [Friday] morning, we had a meeting and during the meeting, we raised the issue with our Chief Whip and asked him what was the source of the money and he said he was going to check from the Chairman because he had also assumed that it was the sitting allowance that he had given him to give to us. So he raised the issue this morning again and he said he had met with the Chairman, and the Chairman had said it was from Boakye Agyarko, who is a nominee. So we as Minority said we were not interested in the money. He should take the money and then return it to the Chairman to give it back to Agyarko. So we gave the money back to our Chief Whip and asked him to send it back to give it to Mr. Agyarko.”

Asked what for what purpose he believes the money was given, Mr. Ayariga said that, “The only logical conclusion one could arrive at is that, this is money intended to influence especially when we had withheld his approval based on certain grounds; so we took a decision that we are not taking anything from anybody. We will take our normal sitting allowances as a committee, and so our leader should be mindful anytime the Chairman brings any money.”

But the Chairman of the Committee, Joe Osei-Wusu, has denied playing any role in the alleged bribery, and has vowed to take up the matter at the appropriate quarters.
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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The allegation comes hours after the Minority had refused to support the approval of Boakye Agyarko and Osafo Maafo; Senior Minister nominee, after raising concerns over some statements the two made before the committee.

Speaking on Accra based Radio Gold, a member of the Appointment’s Committee, Mahama Ayariga, who made the allegation, said Mr. Agyarko attempted bribing them with 3,000 cedis .

The Bawku Central Legislator believes the money was specifically intended to influence the minority to approve Agyarko’s nomination.

“This [Friday] morning,  we had a meeting and during the meeting, we raised the issue with our Chief Whip and asked him what was the source of the money and he said he was going to check from the Chairman because he had also assumed that it was the sitting allowance that he had given him to give to us. So he raised the issue this morning again and he said he had met with the Chairman, and the Chairman had said it was from Boakye Agyarko, who is a nominee. So we as Minority said we were not interested in the money. He should take the money and then return it to the Chairman to give it back to Agyarko. So we gave the money back to our Chief Whip and asked him to send it back to give it to Mr. Agyarko.”

Asked what for what purpose he believes the money was given, Mr. Ayariga said that, “The only logical conclusion one could arrive at is that, this is money intended to influence especially when we had withheld his approval based on certain grounds; so we took a decision that we are not taking anything from anybody. We will take our normal sitting allowances as a committee, and so our leader should be mindful anytime the Chairman brings any money.”

Although Citi News has not independently confirmed the bribery claims, Parliamentary Correspondent, Duke Mensah Opoku, says the matter is making the rounds in Parliament, as the second report of the Appointments Committee of Parliament is being discussed.

According to him, the Chairman of the Committee, Joe Osei-Wusu, has denied playing any role in the alleged bribery, and has vowed to take up the matter at the appropriate quarters.

Although Mr. Agyarko is yet to comment on the matter, sources close to him say he has denied being involved in any such incident.

Why Minority turned down Agyarko, Osafo Maafo’s nomination

Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu, had explained that, they needed some “additional information” on statements they both made before the Committee during the vetting.

He said Mr. Agyarko provided some “inaccurate” information relating to the “debt associated with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Volta River Authority (VRA).”

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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Parliament has approved the nomination of 8 ministerial nominees to serve in the Nana Akufo-Addo led New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

A report presented to the House by the Appointments Committee tasked to vet the nominees, recommended the approval of 8 out of the 13 nominees who appeared before the committee with the minister-nominee of Energy, Boakye Agyarko, and Senior minister nominee, Osafo Maafo excluded.

Though the two subsequently submitted documentary evidence on Thursday as part of efforts to ensure their approval, Citi News’ Duke Opoku Mensah who was in Parliament today [Friday], reported that the Minority was still not cooperating.

“The information I’m picking from the corridors of Parliament is that, there has been a deadlock with regards to a consensus to be reached on the Senior Minister nominee and Minister Nominee for Energy . What I’m picking up is that, the leadership has not been able to reach a consensus…The majority would have to use its sheer force of numbers to ensure the approval,” Duke reported.

A report by the Parliament Appointment’s Committee indicated that “”all the nominees demonstrated through their answers to questions posed to them by members of the committee that they have the intellectual capacity, skill, experience and the requisite training to a) To “assist the President in the determination of general policy of the government” and b) “necessary for the efficient running of the state” as envisaged by Articles 76 (2) and 78 (2) of the constitution.”

It said “notwithstanding the forgoing, Members of the minority on the Committee, have indicated that they do not support the recommendation to approve Hon. Yaw Osafo-Maafo, the Senior Minister-Designate and Mr. Boakye the Energy Minister-Designate by consensus.

It added that “consequently in accordance with order 172 (4) o the standing orders of the House of the Committee recommends to the House to approve the nomination by majority decision. i) Mr. Yaw Osafo-Maafo ii) Mr. Boakye Agyarko.”

Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu, had explained that, they needed some “additional information” on statements they both made before the Committee during the vetting.

He said Mr. Agyarko provided some “inaccurate” information relating to the “debt associated with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Volta River Authority (VRA).”

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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According to him, the country has the human resources with technical ideas to address the power situation, however, it has failed to properly manage its finances in the sector.

Mr Agyarko made the assertion when he appeared before Parliament’s Appointments committee on Monday [January 24] to be vetted for the ministerial office.

“Dumsor is not a function of installed capacity. Dumsor is a function of your ability to procure sufficient feed or crude, or gas to power the plants. Dumsor can also be a situation where power plants particularly, thermal plants because of money are not undergoing their regular cycle of maintenance so they go past their firing hours, it reduces efficiency and hence they start having problems. The power plants at aboadze are having that kind of problems,” Mr Agyarko said.

He said an Energy Ministry under his leadership will improve the financial management and structuring of the energy sector to end the country’s energy woes, assuring that the government will move the country from the current state of erratic power supply to an “ideal state of uninterrupted power delivery”.

“We believe that we are moving from dumsor to a steady state of power supply to the ideal state of uninterrupted power delivery. The problem of dumsor in our estimation is not a technical problem. We have some of the best brains and technical people in our energy sector in Africa. The problem with dumsor is principally, one of money. The energy sector we find now is seriously cash-strapped to the extent that we now live in a debt merry go round.”

“In trying to end dumsor, we have to improve the financial management and structuring within the energy sector and that is what I commit to do,” he added.

Ghana has in the last decade suffered severe power crisis. Successive governments have failed to adequately address the challenge that has crippled many industries and led to the collapse of some.

Energy sector stuck in ‘merry go round debt’

Mr Agyarko at the vetting stated that the country’s energy sector does not generate enough revenue to effectively deliver its mandate, Minister nominee for Energy and Petroleum, Boakye Agyarko has said.

According to him, “the energy sector we find now is seriously cash-strapped to the extent that we now live in a debt merry go round.”

He added that, the energy sector lacks the resources to ensure regular maintenance that will enhance power supply.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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