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Executive Director of the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), Dr. Rasheed Draman, has said Ghana needs a Parliament that can be trusted.

Speaking on Ghana Tonight on TV3 Tuesday, January 28, 2025, Dr. Draman said the Legislature has a duty to purge itself of any bribery allegations levelled against its members, to regain the trust of Ghanaians.

His comments stem from the bribery allegations made against members of the Appointments Committee of the House by convenor of Democracy Hub and FixTheCountry Movement, Oliver Barker-Vormawor.

Barker-Vormawor had said in a post on his Facebook over the weekend that, members on the Committee have been demanding monies from nominees before vetting and approving them.

He asked that the Chairman of the Committee, Bernard Ahiafor, who is the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, appear before the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) committee to answer questions about the conduct of his members.

Prior to the commencement of the vetting of the Minister-designate for Defence Tuesday, January 28, 2025, Mr. Ahiafor denied such claims adding that he was ready to appear before the ORAL as being demanded.

After vehemently denying the allegations, he summoned the lawyer and social activist to appear before the vetting committee, to prove his bribery allegations against its members, specifically those on the Majority side.

Dr. Draman in his comments noted that leadership of the House, including the Chairman of the Appointments Committee, have a duty to redeem the reputation of Parliament.

“The Hon. Mahama Ayariga, leading the caucus, his colleague on the other side [Alexander Afenyo-Markin], the Rt. Hon. Speaker, they have a duty and responsibility, including the Chair of the Committee of course, if he is implicated, perhaps, it might not be appropriate for him to be part of that conversation.

“But whatever it takes, I believe we need to have a Parliament that we can trust,” he stated.

He added that “already, people are raising questions about, this whole vetting, is it just a process to take the box or really it’s an effort to ensure the people we are giving the power and mandate and resources are people who are accountable.

“So, if you join that to what is happening today, I believe there is an urgent need for the Legislature to really work hard to gain the trust of Ghanaians and the only way they can do this is to make sure that if there is any wrongdoing, those who are responsible should be made to answer to it.”

Ahiafor denies ‘bribery’ allegations against Appointments Committee by Barker-Vormawor