Parliamentary Delegation Visits Abodakpi

A high-powered delegation from Parliament yesterday visited the jailed National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Keta, at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison.

Dan Abodakpi, who was also a Minister of Trade and Industry in the NDC regime, was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment on February 5, this year by an Accra Fast Track Court after being convicted on a charge of causing financial loss to the state.

The court had since adjourned sine die (indefinitely) for a new panel of judges to be constituted to hear the appeal filed by Abodakpi against his 10-year jail sentence. The court held that being a sitting MP did not make Abodakpi's case exceptional to justify the granting of bail pending an appeal.

Led by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Majority Leader, Mr Abraham Ossei Aidooh, the other members of the delegation were the Minority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin; Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu; Deputy Minority Leader, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho; and the Majority Chief Whip, Okerchire Adusah.

Abodakpi, who appeared very well, met his colleagues with a broad smile and warm embrace of all the members of the delegation at the office of the Assistant Director of Prisons (ADP) Macarius Zusurekuu, who is the second in command of the prison.

He was sporting a light blue linen wear over a brown trousers and black sandals to match.

Mr Aidooh conveyed the best wishes of the Speaker and the entire MPs to Mr Abodakpi and expressed the hope that his appeal would be determined in time to enable him to know his fate.

“The entire MPs are solidly behind you, since by our laws you still remain an MP,” he said.

Answering questions from journalists, Mr Aidooh explained that Mr Abodakpi was still enjoying his salary because “he is still an MP”.

For his part, Mr Bagbin said MPs from both sides of the House were concerned about his confinement and were, therefore, looking forward to the determination of his appeal.

“I am particularly happy about the spirit of unity, togetherness and friendship among all MPs in this matter,” he said, adding that the visit by the leadership attested to that fact.

“It has not been easy for the past seven months since I was brought here,” was how Abodakpi began his words when it was his turn to reply his visitors.

“The bi-partisan nature of your visit has lifted my spirit and this shows the type of parliamentary democracy that we are building,” he said.

He drew the attention of the MPs to the lack of resources to ensure the proper operation of the Ghana Prisons Service, explaining that it was important for the reformation aspect of the service to be given serious attention.

On his imprisonment, he said a lot of injustices had already been done to him, expressing the hope that justice would finally prevail in his attempt to free himself from his current predicament. ##M:[read more]##

“I am particularly happy that the Gateway Project for which I have been jailed is yielding positive dividends,” he said, and thanked his colleague MPs for their solidarity and support for the past seven months.

The delegation later visited the former Deputy Minister of Finance and MP for Effiduase-Asokore, Mrs Grace Coleman, who has been sick for some time now at his residence in Accra.

Story by Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah