Following the President’s State of the Nation address, the Minority in Parliament has been chiding current New Patriotic Party administration for not giving due credit to the immediate past NDC government for strides in some sectors.

[contextly_sidebar id=”0iWrfFyBgL84X7E1VAEMAq3gOzb81eVd”]In the latest instance, Mr. Suhuyni disputed President Akufo-Addo’s claim that the current government secured some CAD 122 million from the Canadian government for the development of the agriculture sector.

He made this assertion in Parliament during the debate on the State of the Nation Address.

Mr. Suhuyni explained that the CAD 122 million “is the budgetary support that has been coming from the Canadian government and indeed there are records to show that the Canadian First Secretary in charge of development paid a visit to the then Agriculture Minister and announced this facility and assured that the disbursement was going to start in march this year [2017].”

“It would have hurt nothing it the President had acknowledged the contribution of the former administration,” the Tamale North MP stated.

“Planting for Food and Jobs” pilot to cost GHc 560 million

In the meantime, the “Planting for Food and Jobs” will begin with a cost GHc 560 million according to the Minister for Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, who said 200,000 farmers have already been recruited for the exercise/

The programme is expected to take off in March 2017, ahead of the new farming season, the time for the disbursement of the CAD 125 million.

He has said the policy is “going to generate GHc 1.3 billion for the participating farmers and also create 750,000 jobs”

–

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

The post NDC secured seed money for ‘Planting for Food and Jobs’ – Minority appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The three, in a joint letter addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, want the House to initiate an internal investigation to ascertain the veracity of their claims against the minister.

The letter said, “we request you to carry out an internal enquiry into the veracity of the claims made by us in the allegation of attempted bribery of the Minority members of the Appointments Committee of Parliament by the ministerial nominee.”

Mahama Ayariga on Friday [January 27, 2017] accused the Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko of bribing the ten Minority members of the committee with GHc3,000 each when he realized that the Minority had refused to pass him for the position following some comments he made about former president John Mahama during his vetting.

Mr. Ayariga alleged that the money was given to the Minority Chief Whip, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka by the Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Joseph Osei-Owusu for onward disbursement; a claim Mr Suhuyini and Mr Ablakwa both confirmed.

Although the Chief Whip and the Chairman have denied the claims, the trio have insisted they were certain about the allegations.

They noted in the letter that “We, the three (3) Members of Parliament will subject ourselves fully to the processes of enquiry”.

I swear I didn’t give Ayariga bribe money – Muntaka

The Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak had rejected claims that he gave Mahama Ayariga any money he received from Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko.

“I’m a Muslim and Ayariga is a Muslim. I’m swearing by the Allah that created him that I never gave Ayariga anything and I said it was from Osei-Owusu. Osei Owusu has never discussed any money issue with me. He has never given me any money to be given to Ayariga and I’ve never given Ayariga or anybody any money saying that it was coming from the Chairman,” he said.

 ‘Osei-Owusu threatens court action

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Appointments Committee and MP for Bekwai, Joseph Osei-Owusu has threatened he will seek redress in court to clear his name from the scandal.

According to him, he has no idea why Ayariga mentioned him as being at the forefront to receive the bribe money since he does not recollect ever doing so.

He has also given indications he may call for a review of the Committee to allow it run effectively as it ves other ministerial nominees named by President Akufo-Addo.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ayariga writes to Speaker, calls for investigation into bribery claims appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.