Saturday, 27 July

Owusu-Bempah files petition against North Tongu MP

Politics
Owusu Bempah and Samuel Okudjeto-Ablakwa

Mr Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah Bonsu, Director of Communications for the governing New Patriotic Party has submitted a formal petition to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) against North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

 The petition alleges significant breaches of constitutional provisions and deceptive practices by the National Democratic Congress Member Parliament.

In his detailed letter to the CHRAJ Commissioner, Mr Owusu-Bempah accuses Mr Ablakwa of violating Article 98(2) of the Ghanaian Constitution. 

This article prohibits Members of Parliament from holding any other office of profit or emolument, directly or indirectly, without explicit permission from the Speaker of Parliament, based on a recommendation from a parliamentary committee.

Mr Owusu-Bempah's investigation claims that Ablakwa is the director, sole shareholder, and beneficial owner of Volta Klenam Farms and Industries Limited, a company incorporated on September 2, 2021.

 He asserts that Mr Ablakwa has not complied with the constitutional requirement to obtain the Speaker's permission for this role.

"Mr  Ablakwa is the director, sole shareholder, and beneficial owner of Volta Klenam Farms and Industries Limited, incorporated on 2nd September 2021. 

As a Member of Parliament, he is mandated to comply with Article 98(2) of the Constitution of Ghana, which forbids MPs from holding any other office of profit or emolument, whether public or private, directly or indirectly, without the permission of the Speaker of Parliament upon recommendation of a committee of parliament," Mr Owusu-Bempah stated.

According to Mr Bempah, the MP occupies a position of profit or emolument in violation of Article 98(2) of the Constitution of Ghana.

This, he said the MP has engaged in deceptive practices by failing to disclose his business interests and seek the necessary permissions

Source: Classfmonline.com/Cecil Mensah