Super Morning Show recalls topical issues
Joy FM's flagship programme, the Super Morning Show Thursday went on 'Total Recall' retracing some issues that were dealt with in the course of the year.
First on the radar was the hullabaloo surrounding the recommendations contained in the Chinery-Hesse Committee report on emoluments to Article 71 office holders and other public office holders.
Following a public outcry over the quantum of the recommendations, the president ordered that payment should not be made while he set up the Ishmael Yamson Committee to review the Chinery-Hesse Committee recommendations.
After the IYC submitted its report somewhere May 31, 2009, much has not been heard.
Presidential Spokesperson, Mahama Ayariga told Super Morning Show host Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah discussions were ongoing on the matter.
President J.E.A. Mills, he said, had issued a directive on the entitlement of Members of Parliament and former public office holders but will not elaborate.
“I can tell you that some directives have been issued but I am reluctant to be the one to mention the details, the reason being that, this is a matter that concerns the welfare of Members of Parliament and I would rather they made a statement on that,” he noted.
Minority Leader Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu confirmed some consultations were ongoing on the matter but not sure whether the presidency had officially sent the IYC report to the House.
He explained a copy of the report was given to the Speaker of Parliament, Justice Bamford Addo who made copies for the majority and minority leaders.
Then the rancour surrounding former President J.A. Kufuor's office, salary for himself and his office staff, and other benefits came up.
Spokesperson for Mr Kufuor, Mr Frank Agyekum said so far no vehicles or office had been provided for the former president.
He said although government indicated it will replace official vehicles, after retrieving all vehicles Mr Kufuor went home with, the latter opted to wait for Parliament to approve what was due him to avoid any further embarrassment.
Mr Agyekum could not tell if the former president had been paid or not but was emphatic that Mr Kufuor's office staff had not been paid.
The stripping of his official residence of all its furnishings made former Speaker of Parliament, Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi Hughes one of infamous public office holders in the country.
He was directed to return all the items he took away and pay some money back to the state.
Minority Leader Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said Mr Sekyi-Hughes had not returned all the items as promised.
He said the Parliamentary Service Board had written to him and the response was expected by Friday last week.
What happened to the MP for Weija's vehicle which was seized by the government? The Super Morning Show sought to know.
Ranford Amon-Pabi gathered that after claim upon claim failed to stand, the vehicle was yet to be released.
Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botwe did not want to say more preferring to speak with her lawyers.
Former Youth and Sports Minister, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak was supposed to pay some money to the state after a committee set up to investigate allegations of corruption brought against him by the Chief Director and Principal Accountant at the ministry said he had exercised 'indiscretion'in the execution of his duties.
He had pleaded innocent to the charges but pledged to pay some money to the state. That money and more has been paid.
Alhaji Muntaka paid a total of GH¢1,140 being money he spent on visa processing for his lady friend which he was asked to pay for. But he also chose to pay for items bought for his household.
Story by Malik Abass Daabu/Myjoyonline