Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Kingsford Alban Sumana Bagbin says government is trying to create bad blood between itself and the parties involved in the double salary saga.
He says government has not been honest with Ghanaians about discussions and issues concerning the MPs double salary.
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has grilled some Members of Parliament (MPs) who served as ministers in the erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) government over the raging double salary scandal.
They were reportedly cautioned with a charge of stealing and are to reappear before the CID on May 14.
The former appointees, according to reports, are Minister of State in-Charge of Social and Allied Institutions, Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe Ghansah, who is NDC MP for Ada East; Second Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Eric Opoku, NDC MP for Asunafo South and Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister and Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, NDC MP for Tamale Central and Minister of Roads and Highways.
The former NDC appointees are being accused of taking double salaries as ministers and MPs while serving in government under President John Mahama.
But speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, the Nadowli Kaleo Member of Parliament noted the matter could have been handled at the parliamentary level hence no need to institute investigations into the matter
According to him the payment system is shrouded with challenges and has been so since 1993.
"I have been short changed several times when it comes to my salary and emoluments several times with my long stay in parliament but I have never complained.
"I can tell you that, this issue of double salary has not been honestly pursued by the government", he said.
"I expect and will allow a full investigation into the matter for a comprehensive report to be produced by the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service so that it does not occur again," he added.
He thinks there are attempts to erode his presidential ambition.
"But you know, the same thing happened to successful political leaders.
"Though my name has been mentioned several times as having enjoyed double salary, I have not been invited by the police, but am ready to avail my self to police any time they so wish to invite me", he added.
Presidential Ambition
Speaking on his presidential ambition and the unity walks been organized by his party, he explained that his party is repeating the same mistakes that sent them into opposition.
"We have as a party designed and outlined proper processes to unify and recapture power but we are doing something different and repeating the very things that sent the party into opposition."
He however added that he is in talks with his foot soldiers and council of elders and will soon declare his intentions to contest for the flagbearership of the party.
Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]
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BAGBIN SHOULD NOT BE NAIVE OF THE BAD BLOOD ALREADY CREATED BY MINORITY MPS. WHAT DO YOU THINK OKUDJETO, SUHUYINI, MAHAMA AYARIGA AND ALL NDC MPS WERE DOING WHEN THEY FALSELY ACCUSE SOME AKUFFO ADDO MINISTERS OF CORRUPTION WHEN THERE WAS NONE. THE EXTENT AND THE MANNER BY WHICH YOU CARRY OUT THAT AGENDA IS CLEAR INDICATION OF THE MISCHIEVOUS NATURE OF YOUR INTENTIONS. IT WILL BE A SUICIDAL AKUFFO ADDO GOVERNMENT IF HE IN OBSTRUCT JUSTICE IN ANYWAY TO INTERVENE OR INTERFERE WITH THE NORMAL PROCESS OF POLICE CID TO INVESTIGATE IN THE MATTER TO ITS LOGICAL CONCLUSIONS. THE SUGGESTION OF BAGBIN IS AN INSULT TO HIS OFFICE AS THE SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER. IS HE PROPOSING A CONNIVANCE AMONG POLITICIANS TO ENGAGE AND PROMOTE CORRUPTION. THIS IS SHAME OF HIM. BY THIS STATEMENT HE HAS SHOT HIMSELF IN THE FOOT IF HE STILL ASPIRE TO LEAD NDC PARTY. THE SCANDAL HAS ALREADY CAUSE A GREAT INJURY TO HIS POLITICAL AMBITION AND A STATEMENT LIKE THIS DOES NOT HELP HIS PREDICAMENT BUT TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY.
Did Hon. Bagbin receive double salary or not? I think most journalist who interview some category of politician try to white wash the issues. The issue is not whether government handled the matter honestly or not, but whether these MPs truly received double salary or not? If it turns out that these MPs received double salary, at least, citizens of this country can credit the government for exposing the stealing of public funds and for departing from the wash my back and I wash yours that politicians in Ghana are noted for. There should be no behind the scenes discussion about this matter. Let the CID investigate and submit their docket to the AG or SP as may be appropriate. And let the AG or SP prosecute diligently it there is evidence to the effect that these MPs received double salaries.
Shame on u Alban, who told u u will be a president, nsawam prisons will be ur home soon