The Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen has expressed fears that the\u00a0\u2018cash for seat\u2019 scandal could threaten Ghana’s attempts to mobilize investments from the international community.<\/p>\n
In his concluding statement to the committee probing the matter in Parliament on Friday, Mr. Kyerematen said Ghana’s reputation risked incurring serious damage because of the allegations\u00a0that his Ministry charged expatriates to sit by the President at the Ghana Expatriate Business Awards (GEBA) in December 2017.<\/p>\n
[contextly_sidebar id=”7PSM6Z4DWL0FcvhkQUO14UfhjFrYZPOX”]However, according to the Minister, the absence of any adverse findings after the committee finishes its work could redeem Ghana’s image in the eyes of the international community.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is our hope that we go throughout this process and by the grace of God, no adverse finding are established. It will be a matter of deep regret that as a country, we have had to endure a controversy that has the potential of making very significant damage to our international reputation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf in the minds of the international public, it is indeed the case that the government of Ghana is extorting money from expatriates, do we not believe or appreciate the impact it will have on Ghana\u2019s capacity to mobilize investment into this country?\u201d Mr. Kyeramaten questioned.<\/p>\n
The Minister also reiterated his assertion that there was no wrongdoing and stressed that: “I have not heard or seen any individual make a specific allegation in respect of extortion or levies.”<\/p>\n
Mr. Kyeramaten appeared \u00a0before the Committee of Friday, a day after the Minority Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs,\u00a0Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa\u00a0and\u00a0the Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak also gave their testimonies.<\/p>\n