Parliament has welcomed investigations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) into allegations surrounding an alleged GH¢70,000 payment linked to the work of the Appointments Committee.
The Parliamentary Service said the Speaker has welcomed any lawful investigation aimed at establishing the facts surrounding a memorandum circulating on social media, purportedly authored by the Deputy Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Asokwa, Patricia Appiagyei.
The memorandum reportedly concerns the alleged return of GH¢70,000. However, conflicting accounts have emerged over the authenticity of the document, with subsequent reports categorically denying that it was authored by the Asokwa MP.
In a statement signed by the Director of Media Relations, David Sebastian Damoah, Parliament said it had not independently verified the authenticity of the memorandum and would therefore not make a determination on the competing claims at this stage.
It nevertheless described allegations concerning payments allegedly connected to the work of a parliamentary committee, particularly the Appointments Committee, as matters deserving of proper scrutiny.
Parliament also expressed concern over the possibility that the memorandum could have been fabricated and falsely attributed to a Member of Parliament, saying such conduct could undermine public confidence in the institution and its processes.
The Speaker has therefore urged the OSP to pursue its investigations “thoroughly and expeditiously”, including determining whether the memorandum is authentic and whether the claims contained in it are truthful.
Parliament has further pledged to provide the necessary cooperation to the OSP and any other competent investigative authority in the lawful discharge of their mandates.
The Parliamentary Service said should the investigation establish that the memorandum was fabricated or falsely attributed to the Deputy Minority Leader, the matter should not end with that finding.
It said the appropriate investigative authorities should enlist the assistance of the Cyber Security Authority and other relevant law enforcement agencies to identify those responsible for creating and circulating the document.
Where the evidence warrants, Parliament said those responsible should be held accountable in accordance with the law.
The Speaker considers the fabrication and deliberate circulation of documents purporting to emanate from Members or offices of Parliament a serious assault on the integrity and reputation of the institution.
Parliament has meanwhile urged the public, media and other stakeholders to exercise caution in sharing the document or drawing definitive conclusions until its authenticity and the circumstances surrounding it have been properly established.
The Parliamentary Service said the Speaker remains committed to ensuring that the facts are established and that appropriate consequences follow in accordance with the law.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
