Parliament postpones final ruling on Ayariga saga until further notice

Parliament has postponed its final ruling on the Mahama Ayariga bribery allegation which was supposed to have been given by the Speaker on Friday March 31.

Speaker of the House, Prof. Mike Ocquaye addressing the members indicated that following developments from the report that was laid on the floor by the 5 member Joe Ghartey committee, he (Speaker) has postponed the final ruling on it until further notice.

He further indicated that the postponement has also been as a result of the absence of Mahama Ayariga from parliament.

Background:

Mahama Ayariga, Member of Parliament for Bawku Central leveled a bribery allegation against some members of the appointments committee indicating that Boakye Agyarko, Minister for Energy, had brought monies to be shared amongst them.

Following a public uproar, parliament set up a 5-member committee to investigate the allegation and give recommendations on how the house can cleanse its dented image.

On Thursday March 30, the committee presented its report on the floor and categorically stated that Mahama Ayariga, who made the allegation, did not have any evidence to back his claim.

The committee therefore indicted the MP and said he should ‘render an unqualified apology to the House.’ In rendering his apology, the MP raised some concerns about the entire process of the investigation and gave a conditional apology saying “…if you want me to apologise, then I apologise.”

This comment drew the house into heavy verbal banter for several hours, forcing the Speaker to adjourn proceedings. Following the latest decision of the speaker, the entire country would have to wait until further notice.