Gov't hides behind c'tees to cover corruption - Minority

The Minority spokesperson on Youth and Sports, Isaac Asiamah is accusing the government of hiding behind Presidential and Ministerial committees of inquiry to cover up corruption.

He expressed concerns about the composition of the committee set up by the government to investigate the events surrounding Ghana's preparation and participation at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The Minority MP said his colleagues are not pleased with such committees of inquiry because similar committees set up in the past were not beneficial to the country.

The Minority in Parliament on Wednesday filed a motion requesting Parliament to institute a bi-partisan committee to investigate the matter.

But the newly appointed Sports Minister, Mahama Ayariga, in a statement on Friday announced that a three-man committee has been set up to look into the issue.

The members are Appeals Court Judge- Justice Senyo Dzamefo, Sports Enthusiast, Kofi Anokye Owusu Darko and Lawyer and Sports Administrator, Moses Foh Amoanin.

Reacting to the announcement on Eyewitness News, Mr. Asiamah stated that Ghanaians have cause to worry because the report submitted by the Ministerial committee which was set up in 2011 to investigate the All African Games scandal involving the National Sports Authority is yet to be implemented.

“Till date, nothing has happened to those officials who were named in the report in terms of prosecutions,” he said.

Mr. Asiamah said he is convinced that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government “hides behind the cover of committees of inquiry and squanders public funds with impunity.”

He insisted that Parliament must establish a bi-partisan committee of inquiry to look into the matter at hand.

The Atwima-Mponua Member of Parliament noted that unlike Parliament, which has the power to summon individuals, a Ministerial committee of inquiry cannot force indicted persons to appear before it.

“That is the more reason why it is important that committee is set up by Parliament for us to get to the bottom of this matter,” he explained.

The motion the Minority filed on Wednesday, according to Mr. Asiamah is to generate a full debate on the floor of the House.