Managing Editor of The Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr has refused to accept claims that the alleged attempted bribery of the minority is a rumour.
He categorically stated that details relating to the raising of the money and its delivery were revealed by a member of parliament – belonging to the camp of NPP – to some members of the minority.
An alleged bribery scandal was disclosed by Mahama Ayariga, Member of Parliament for Bawku central while granting an interview on Radio Gold.
He indicated that an amount of GHC 3000 was presented to him by Minority Chief Whip and MP for Asawase Hon. Muntaka Mubarak as “bribe” to facilitate the approval of Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko.
The allegation also has it that the money was given to Hon. Muntaka by chairman of the Appointments Committee, Joe Osei-Wusu on behalf of Boakye Agyarko.
However, the Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko and Chairman of the Committee Joe Osei-Wusu have both denied the allegations and threatened legal action.
Speaking on Joynews flagship program today, Hon. Mutaka rubbished the bribery claims by his colleague on the minority side, Mahama Ayariga. He also expressed surprise at the conduct of the Bawku Central MP.
Mahama Ayariga on the other hand insists the allegations are true and he’s willing to put his integrity on the line to prove the veracity of the alleged bribery.
Speaking on Radio Gold’s Saturday morning current affairs program, Alhaji and Alhaji, Kwesi Pratt asserted that he received credible information from some MPs he interacted with to the effect that they had received some money to facilitate the approval of Energy Minister.
He revealed that the money was returned because of the involvement of an untrusted NPP MP in raising and delivering the funds.
“I have spoken to several members of parliament and one of them tells me that a member of parliament from the other side called him and told him that he helped to mobilise that money for payment to be done in other to approve Boakye Agyarko, and that’s what raised the alarm… and the reason why they raised the alarm had to do with the character of the MP who claimed to have raised those monies. They couldn’t trust him.”
The veteran journalist also questioned the procedure by parliament in paying monies due MPs. He called for a proper system to be put in place to ensure that there are no loopholes for bribery and corruption.
He advocated for a full scale investigation into the matter to unravel all the facts surrounding the issue and make things clearer.
Watch Kwesi Pratt Jnr.