Majority Leader in the Parliament of Ghana and the Leader of Government Business, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has said that rumors about Members of Parliament (MPs) receiving money from government as support to fight against the spread of COVID-19 in Ghana is not true.
It has been alleged that the 275 MPs were each given a minimum of GHC 120,000 to enable them buy standardized veronica buckets for distribution to their constituents to ensure that the WHO hand washing protocols are observed in their various communities.
However, the Majority Leader has denied the allegation, insisting that there was no single strand of truth in the rumor being peddled on social media.
“Government has done no such thing and no Member of Parliament has received any such amount for any such purpose on behalf of any person,” he indicated.
Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu who is also the MP for the Suame constituency cleared the air on the issue on the Floor of Parliament on Thursday, April 30, 2020 during his presentation of the agenda for the resumption of sittings after two weeks of indefinite suspension.
He was responding to a point of clarification sought by the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu following the widespread rumor which had gained grounds on social media. He said MPs were being trolled by social commentators for what they had no idea.
“The report that Members of Parliament have been given some amount of money for purpose of COVID-19, GHC 120,000, Mr. Speaker, that must stand in denial. It is inaccurate, it misleading, it is erroneous and it is only meant to open Members of Parliament to ridicule and to all kinds of demands by our constituents. We know that the Executive is working with District Assemblies and not Members of Parliament,” Haruna Iddrisu noted.
The Majority Leader who also doubles as the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs reiterated the denial of any such fund.
“…again for the avoidance of doubt, no amount, not even a thousand Ghana Cedis has been paid to any Member of Parliament in that regard.”
By: Clement Akoloh
Source: africanewsradio.com