The Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, wants Parliament, and by extension the state, to investigate any possibilities of suing Minority Chief Whip Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka for willfully causing financial loss to the state.
According to him, the recall of Parliament during their Christmas break following the Asawase Constituency Member of Parliament’s motion may have incurred costs.
“Will it be possible that the associated costs of recalling this House may be the case of causing financial loss to the state?” Mr Keyermaten wondered in his remarks after the report by the five-member ad hoc committee was adopted.
He was in the House to convey his ministry’s gratitude to Parliament for following due diligence in probing the matter.
The committee had been set up by the Speaker to look into Alhaji Muntaka’s motion – seconded by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa – which accused the Trades Ministry of illegally levying expatriate business owners at an awards ceremony.
Initially, the Minority members had accused the Ministry of “extorting” monies from the businesses.
But after weeks of public hearing, the committee on Tuesday presented its report, though not without drama as the Minority walked out of the House.
In appreciating the work of the committee, Mr Kyerematen begged of the Speaker, Aaron Mike Oquaye, to make comments about Alhaji Muntaka, Mr Okudzeto, James Klutse Avedzi and Dr Dominic Ayine who were key actors in the “drama”.
About Muntaka, he added that his documents presented to the committee “on oath” were “fraudulent” and “it could be a matter that can be properly interrogated”.
‘Rising Star’
About the North Tongu MP, Mr Kyerematen was worried about his barometer of the country’s international image as a result of the allegations.
He argued that the opinion of the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, whom he described as the Rising Star of the Minority, cannot constitute the entirety of the international community.
About Dr Ayine, the Trade Minister said all the documents that were not substantiated during the public hearings found their ways into the Minority’s counter report released on Friday.
Mr Kyerematen also accused Mr Avedzi of working so hard to fault the Ministry of using public accounts for private funds.
“How are citizens protected by the acts and ommissions of honourable members?” Mr Kyerematen queried.
Alan wants Muntaka charged for ‘causing financial loss to the state’
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