According Citi News’ Parliamentary correspondent, Duke Mensah Opoku, members of the Minority only asked three questions but refused to comment on any other business in the House.

Duke Opoku also reported that they did not participate in a Finance Committee report that was discussed thereafter.

He added that they also did not second any motion on the Floor including on the adjournment of the House when the proposal was made by the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu.

[contextly_sidebar id=”DIjTDRWt5aZwBgD4hObPOrEg5s6zn4NG”]The Minority staged a walkout in Parliament on Tuesday when the ‘cash for seat’ investigative report was being debated in Parliament, which they believe reflected only the views of the Majority side on the committee.

Explaining the rationale of their action to Duke Mensah Opoku, Deputy Minority Leader, James Klutse Avedzi said they are doing so because they feel that the Majority considers their views as “irrelevant.”

“The Majority thinks that the views of the Minority are not relevant. That is why the views of the minority members on the committee were rejected by the chairman of the committee and he did not incorporate the views of the Minority in that report. So the report that came is not the committee’s report, it is the majority members on the committee’s report. If they had accommodated the views of the minority then we could have said it is the committee’s report.”

When asked when the Minority will end their protest, Mr. Avedzi said “we don’t have a termination point” but he assured that they will always be present for sittings.

“We will only participate when the Majority considers our views as relevant. They think that Ghana belongs to them, they think that Parliament belongs to them and that they can work without the Minority. That is why for the first time in the history of this parliament, a witness who appeared before a committee was given the opportunity to debate that report on the floor. Minister for trade and industry and industry who is a witness, who appeared before the committee was contributing to the debate yesterday, has it ever happened before?”

We only observed 

Meanwhile, Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah has said the reasons adduced by the Minority to back their actions are uncalled for.

He said the Majority members only observed what the Minority did but “we were not told officially.”

“…Yesterday I’m told they said I used hard language. I related to some people having acted dishonorably and dishonestly and I will repeat same anytime giving the sequence of event. I’m not saying that, that person is eternally or chronically dishonest, I’ve not said so. I’ve said that, that conduct is a conduct that could be described as dishonest and I insist on that. The rules are clear. The rules provide for the committee chairmen to write a report. Repeatedly they have not followed the rules,” he said.

Click here to read full background of the cash for seat saga:

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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This process has, however, not gone without controversy after complaints from a member of the Committee, Dr. Dominic Ayine that the report which was presented to the House did not include the final input from the Minority members.

The Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu had said  on Thursday that laying of the report had been postponed several times because Dr Dominic Ayine had wanted to present a separate report capturing the Minority’s conclusions on the matter.

[contextly_sidebar id=”NZsOiRz8mBNSMoPgvKX6NC0uoFYvkgiK”]He told Citi News’ Duke Opoku Mensah that members of the Committee had all agreed to conclude the report on Wednesday, and present it yesterday [Thursday], but Dr. Ayine did not show up at the hotel where the meeting was supposed to take place, despite several assurances from him.

Mensah Bonsu said the committee members had planned to meet on Wednesday at 3 o’clock in the afternoon to put everything in order to be able to submit the report on Thursday.

“One of them was absent, Dr. Dominic Ayine unfortunately, for whatever reason couldn’t go. They called him and he said he will be there at 5:00pm but he couldn’t go. They called him and he said they should give him two hours more which was 7:00pm. 7:00pm they called him, his phones were off. It was not until 12 midnight that he sent words to them to respond to their earlier calls.”

Mensah Bonsu said he was however taken aback when the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, informed him on Thursday that Dr. Ayine decided to present a supposed Minority report on the investigations by the Committee.

Mensah Bonsu who is also the MP for Suame, however, urged the committee members to resolve their differences in order for the report to be presented today.

Background of “cash for seat” saga

The Ministry of Trade, which partnered the event organizers, Millennium Excellence Foundation, is alleged to have charged between $25,000 and $100,000, to enable expatriates to sit close to the President at the awards ceremony.

The allegation was first made by the Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak in Parliament in December 2017.

Mr. Mubarak said the fees charged at the Ghana Expatriate Business Awards were not approved by Parliament, adding that the monies were also not accounted for in the Internally Generated Funds [IGF] of the Ministry’s accounts.

The allegation was further reinforced by Mr. Ablakwa, who suffered verbal assaults from Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Carlos Ahenkorah over the matter.

The Ministry of Trade said it played no role in determining prices for seats at the event, and clarified that it only facilitated the implementation of a new initiative by the Millennium Excellence Foundation.

But the Ministry after an order from the President to probe the matter clarified that an amount of GHc2, 667,215 was realized from the event. This was made known only after the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, had asked the Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen, to investigate the matter and report to him.

The organizers of the Awards had also explained that no one paid to sit close to the President, and that the amount was raised from sponsorship through a fundraising at the event.

Parliament subsequently formed a five-member bi-partisan committee to investigate the matter.

The Committee held several public hearings and a few in-camera sessions that featured all parties named in the allegation, and those who made the allegation.

The committee was supposed to present its report on January 24, 2018 but was subsequently given a one-week extension which was supposed to have elapsed on Wednesday January 31, 2018, but failed to do so.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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According to Citi News’ Parliamentary Correspondent, Duke Mensah Opoku, the expatriates appeared before the Committee today, [Tuesday], and were grilled for close to three hours.

Duke says for now, the content of the interrogation is unknown, and may only be available when the Committee finally presents its report.

He added that, more of the expatriates are also expected to appear before the Committee this week.

At the Committee’s last sitting on January 16, 2018, the Committee suspended sitting because none of the expatriates invited to testify showed up.

According to Chairman of the Committee, Kwasi Ameyaw Cheremeh, although they had written official letters to the expatriates to appear before them, none showed up. As a result, the sitting was adjourned indefinitely.

It may thus come as a surprise that whilst many were expecting the expatriates to turn up for the public hearing; the Committee chose to have that session in-camera.

There had been initial reports that the expatriates were unwilling to appear publicly to be interrogated, in their quest to protect their businesses in a highly political matter such as this.

This perhaps explains why the Committee did not announce its intention to have an in-camera hearing to the media.

The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, in an interview with Citi News, stated that the expatriates had pleaded with the Committee to allow them an in-camera hearing, a request that has been granted.

“The Chief Whip for the Majority who’s the chairman of the Committee, informed myself and the Minority Leader that they had run into a bit of a roadblock, in the sense that, some of the businesses that they invited, had indicated that they wouldn’t want to sit in public, and they would want some in-camera meeting. It’s for the Committee to determine, and the Committee I think has agreed they will meet them in-camera and hear from them, which is why when we met this [Tuesday] morning at the business committee level, I informed the Minority Leader of the Committee’s application, and we all agreed that we should grant them an extension in order for them to be able to report by latest Wednesday, 31st of January”.

Committee’s timeline extended to January 31

Meanwhile, the Committee has been given a one-week extension after they requested for additional time. They are now to present their report on January 31, 2018, instead of the original date of January 24.

This was confirmed to Citi News by the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu.

‘Cash-for-seat’ C’ttee charged to meet deadline

Early on today [Tuesday], the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joe Osei-Owusu, asked the Committee set up to probe the alleged extortion of monies from expatriates during the 2017 Ghana Expatriates Business Awards, to ensure that they meet the deadline given to them by the House, and submit their report accordingly.

“As you know, our mandate of scrutinizing government business and holding public officials to account gained a lot of public interest till the ad-hoc committee was setup to investigate the alleged collection of various sums of monies from expatriates business during the Expatriates Business Awards in Accra. I suppose that substantial work has been done by the Committee to meet the deadline given by Mr. Speaker to enable the House consider the report during this week,” he added.

The First Deputy Speaker made the call on Tuesday when he welcomed Members of Parliament to the House from their Christmas break.

Background of “cash for seat” saga

The Ministry of Trade, which partnered the event organizers, Millennium Excellence Foundation, is alleged to have charged between $25,000 and $100,000, to enable expatriates to sit close to the President at the awards ceremony.

The allegation was first made by the Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak in Parliament in December 2017.

Mr. Mubarak said the fees charged at the Ghana Expatriate Business Awards were not approved by Parliament, adding that the monies were also not accounted for in the Internally Generated Funds [IGF] of the Ministry’s accounts.

The allegation was further reinforced by Mr. Ablakwa, who suffered verbal assaults from Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Carlos Ahenkorah over the matter.

The Ministry of Trade said it played no role in determining prices for seats at the event, and clarified that it only facilitated the implementation of a new initiative by the Millennium Excellence Foundation.

But the Ministry after an order from the President to probe the matter clarified that an amount of GHc2, 667,215 was realized from the event. This was made known only after the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, had asked the Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen, to investigate the matter and report to him.

The organizers of the Awards had also explained that no one paid to sit close to the President, and that the amount was raised from sponsorship through a fundraising at the event.

Parliament subsequently formed a five-member bi-partisan committee to investigate the matter.

Others interrogated

So far, the Minority Chief Whip, Mohammed Mubarak-Muntaka, North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyeremateng as well as officials from the Millennium Excellence Foundation, organizers of the Ghana Expatriates Business Awards, have all appeared before the committee.

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By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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“As you know, our mandate of scrutinizing government business and holding public officials to account gained a lot of public interest till the ad-hoc committee was setup to investigate the alleged collection of various sums of monies from expatriates business during the Expatriates Business Awards in Accra. I suppose that substantial work has been done by the Committee to meet the deadline given by Mr. Speaker to enable the House consider the report during this week,” he added.

[contextly_sidebar id=”dGRcPGGW5R1bPrD7ldQhtIWePPE2LuXq”]The Committee has a deadline of Wednesday, January 24, 2018, to present its findings to Parliament after it was set up on January 5, 2018.

The First Deputy Speaker made the call on Tuesday when he welcomed Members of Parliament to the House from their Christmas break.

Mr. Osei-Owusu is currently chairing sittings at Parliament because the Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, is acting as the President due to the absence of both the President and the Vice President.

Background of “cash for seat” saga

The Ministry of Trade, which partnered the event organizers,  Millennium Excellence Foundation, is alleged to have charged between $25,000 and $100,000, to enable expatriates to sit close to the President at the awards ceremony.

The allegation was first made by the Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak in Parliament in December 2017.

Mr. Mubarak said the fees charged at the Ghana Expatriate Business Awards were not approved by Parliament, adding that the monies were also not accounted for in the Internally Generated Funds [IGF] of the Ministry’s accounts.

The allegation was further reinforced by Mr. Ablakwa, who suffered verbal assaults from Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Carlos Ahenkorah over the matter.

The Ministry of Trade said it played no role in determining prices for seats at the event, and clarified that it only facilitated the implementation of a new initiative by the Millennium Excellence Foundation.

But the Ministry after an order from the President to probe the matter clarified that an amount of GHc 2,667,215 was realized from the event.

The organizers of the Awards had also explained that no one paid to sit close to the President, and that the amount was raised from sponsorship through a fundraising at the event.

Parliament subsequently formed a five member bi-partisan committee to investigate the matter.

Expatriates ‘swerve’ ‘cash-for-seats’ committee

So far, the Minority Chief Whip, Mohammed Mubarak-Muntaka, North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyeremateng as well as officials from the Millennium Excellence Foundation, organizers of the Ghana Expatriates Business Awards, have all appeared before the committee.

But at the last sitting on January 16, 2018, the five-member Committee  suspended sitting because none of the expatriates invited to testify before the committee showed up.

According to Chairman of the Committee, Kwasi Ameyaw Cheremeh, although they had written official letters to the expatriates to appear before them today, “none have shown up so we are unable to continue with the work of the committee for the day.”

“…So we adjourn and probably contact them again to appear before us at a later date to be determined by the Committee. We will give them that opportunity to appear before us,” he added.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey & Duke Mensah Opoku/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post ‘Cash-for-seat’ C’ttee charged to meet January 24 deadline appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to Chairman of the Committee, Kwasi Ameyaw Cheremeh, although they had written official letters to the expatriates to appear before them today, “none have shown up so we are unable to continue with the work of the committee for the day.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”vKtemfFDsD8iUrX0bbzAkgPW5Tbpjl9r”]“…So we adjourn and probably contact them again to appear before us at a later date to be determined by the Committee. We will give them that opportunity to appear before us,” he told the media who were present to cover the sitting.

The Committee, which has been sitting since last Thursday, is supposed to present its report to Parliament on January 24, 2018.

So far, the Minority Chief Whip, Mohammed Mubarak-Muntaka, North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyeremateng as well as officials from the Millennium Excellence Foundation, organizers of the Ghana Expatriates Business Awards, have all appeared before the committee.

Prior to today’s hearing, Tuesday, there were indications that even the Committee Chairman did not know how many of the expatriates who made financial commitments at the event were to appear before them.

There are suggestions the expatriate business executives may not show up due to the political nature of the matter, and the effect it could have on their businesses going forward.

Background

The Ministry of Trade, supporters of the Awards, was alleged to have charged between $25,000 and $100,000, to enable expatriates to sit close to the President at the awards ceremony, which was organised by the Millennium Excellence Foundation.

The allegation was first made by the Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak, in Parliament in December 2017.

Mr. Mubarak said the fees charged at the Ghana Expatriate Business Awards were not approved by Parliament, adding that the monies were also not accounted for in the Internally Generated Funds [IGF] of the Ministry’s accounts.

The issue was further reinforced by Mr Ablakwa, who suffered verbal assaults from Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Carlos Ahenkorah over the matter.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry initially dissociated itself from these allegations.

The Trade Ministry, in a statement, said it played no role in determining prices for seats at the event and clarified that it only facilitated the implementation of a new initiative by the Millennium Excellence Foundation.

But the Ministry after an order from the President to probe the matter clarified that an amount of GHc 2,667,215 was realized from the event.

The organizers of the Awards had also explained that no one paid to sit close to the President and that the amount was raised from sponsorship through a fundraising at the event.

Parliament subsequently formed a five member bi-partisan committee to investigate the matter.

–

By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post Expatriates ‘swerve’ ‘cash-for-seats’ committee, hearing suspended appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This comes after the Committee hosted the organizers of the event, Millennium Excellence Foundation on Monday, to provide details about how the event was organized and circumstances under which monies were collected from some of the expatriates.

The Chairman of the Committee, Kwasi Ameyaw Cheremeh, told Citi News that the Committee is not certain about the number of expatriates appearing before it.

He however said they are ready to listen to the submissions of as many of them that present themselves.

It is alleged that the expatriates paid between $25,000 and $100,000 to sit close to President Akufo-Addo at the event which was also used to award some of the expatriate businesses.

The Trades Ministry, under whose auspices the event was organized has denied allegations of wrongdoing, while the organizers, Millennium Excellence Foundation have also debunked claims that expatriates were forced to pay monies to sit at the high table and to receive awards.

Key witnesses in the matter including Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, and his colleague Minority MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kyerematen, and officials of the Millennium Excellence Foundation  have already made appearances before the Committee.

Background

The Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak, first made the extortion allegation in Parliament in December 2017.

Mr. Mubarak said the fees charged at the Ghana Expatriate Business Awards (GEBA) were not approved by Parliament, adding that the monies were also not accounted for in the Internally Generated Funds [IGF] of the Ministry’s accounts.

The issue was further reinforced by Mr. Ablakwa, who suffered verbal assaults from Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Carlos Ahenkorah over the matter.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry initially dissociated itself from these allegations.

The Trade Ministry, in a statement said it played no role in determining prices for seats at the event, and clarified that it only facilitated the implementation of a new initiative by the Millennium Excellence Foundation.

But the Ministry after an order from the President to probe the matter, clarified that an amount of GHc 2,667,215 was realized from the event.

The organizers of the Awards had also explained that no one paid to sit close to the President, and that the amount raised was gotten from sponsorship through a fundraising at the event.]

The Minority moved a motion in Parliament for a further probe into the matter, and this forced the Speaker to recall MPs from their recess, leading to the formation of the Committee.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Expatriates take turn before ‘cash-for-seat’ C’ttee today appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the Minority, expatriates were charged between $25,000 and $100,000 to sit by the President at the ceremony.

[contextly_sidebar id=”EfiDF40KvgiMtrMPktjia4Vc5soX9jTW”]Speaking during the MUSIGA Presidential Ball on Friday, he jokingly said he hoped persons who sat close to him at the event did not pay to sit on the same table with him.

“I hope that it will not be said that I asked people to pay GHc 1,500 to come and have dinner with me tonight. This is a MUSIGA presidential Ball and it should stay as such or I will be the subject of a parliamentary inquiry.”

President Akufo-Addo has already said the allegations were baseless following a query to the Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kyeremanten, demanding answers from him over the allegations.

This was after the Trade and Industry Ministry, and the President of the Millennium Excellence Foundation, which organized the awards, had denied the allegations, which first came from the Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak.

The matter continues to unravel as the Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Oquaye, has summoned Parliament for an emergency sitting on Friday, January 5, 2018, after the Minority in Parliament called on the House to investigate the allegations.

Support for Arts 

President Akufo-Addo also reiterated his government’s commitment to give the Arts and Entertainment Industry the needed push.

Among other other things, the President said the “government will protect and support anti-piracy laws for the industry to protect our musicians.”

“In 2018, we will, amongst others, continue with initiatives to improve the creative arts sector with the setting up of a fully functional creative arts secretariat and the commencement of feasibility studies to set up a creative arts fund all under the leadership of the dynamic Catherine Afeku, the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture,” he added.

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

The post Nana Addo ‘makes fun’ of expatriates saga at MUSIGA ball appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Ministry was alleged to have charged between $25,000 and $100,000 to enable expatriates to sit close to the President at the Ghana Expatriate Business Awards.

[contextly_sidebar id=”7uPvFEK5fhoVSdPRZlvOZfZCRx50CYgX”]Following a query to the Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kyeremanten, demanding answers from him over the allegations, a statement from the government has said “the facts, as reported to the President, do not disclose any wrongdoing on the part of the Minister of any government official.”

In view of this, the President has “therefore asked the Minister to put those facts before the Ghanaian people.”

The Trade and Industry Ministry, and the President of the Millennium Excellence Foundation, which organised the awards, has already denied the allegations, which first came from the Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak.

The foundation, however, stated that donations were actively solicited for the Ghana Expatriate Business Awards with the help of the Trades Ministry, and the highest donors were expected to get preferential treatment.

Minority’s call for ‘proper’ probe

But the Minority has maintained that, there was some wrongdoing by the two parties, and has indicated that, it is ready to appear before any investigative body to provide evidence of extortion from the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

The MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said he is prepared to make available receipts proving the alleged extortion at the appropriate avenues.

The Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak, also wants Parliament to set up a committee to probe the alleged extortion.

He said an investigation will establish the veracity of the allegations, and put the matter to rest and allow Parliament to redeem itself.

Find below the full statement

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

The post No wrongdoing by Trade Ministry in expatriates saga – Nana Addo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the Asawase MP, the fees charged at the Ghana Expatriate Business Awards were not the kind of fees approved by Parliament, and that the monies were also not accounted for in the Internally Generated Funds [IGF] of the Ministry’s accounts.

Muntaka made the revelation during the debate of the 2018 budget estimates for the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

“Mr. Speaker, I have worries about the IGF of the Ministry and how they go around, mobilizing resources on the IGF, and secondly Mr. Speaker, this item that I am going to mention in the breakdown of the Ministry’s IGF, was not included, yet they are bringing the budget excluding that collection. On 23rd September, 2017, the Ministry wrote to Ghana Expatriate Business Community for them to be informed that they are planning to organize an award ceremony for expatriate businesses that are in Ghana, and Mr. Speaker, shockingly enough, part of what was said was that, if you want to sit with the President, you have to pay 100,000 dollars. If you want to sit behind the President you have to 75,000 dollars. If you want to sit on another table called red circle, you have to pay 50,000 dollars. If you wanted to sit on the yellow circle, you have to pay 40,000 dollars, and if you wanted to sit on the green circle, you have to the 25,000 dollars.

“Mr. Speaker, this is very worrying because so far as I am concerned, the fees and charges that we approve in this house did not say that if we wanted to interact with the President you have to pay 100,000. Mr. Speaker, this gives credence to all that we have been hearing in the media that access to the President is very difficult,” Mr. Muntaka said on the floor of Parliament.

A communique to the expatriates, and sighted by citifmonline.com, detailed the specific amounts that was to be charged as stated by Mr. Muntaka, but Citi News cannot confirm if the amounts quoted were indeed paid.

It also requested that applicants “submit their details by 10th of November, 2017 to one Mr. Kwadwo Boateng at the KPMG’s office, Abelemkpe, in a sealed envelope” adding that information presented by applicants will be “kept strictly confidential.”

Suggestions are that, the practice of reserving specific tables at special events at a fee for those who wish to sit closer to high profile personalities or celebrities is abnormal or odd.

Click on the link below to read communique sighted by citifmonline.com.

Communique

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By: Marian Ansah & Duke Mensah Opoku/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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