By: Kareen Tei
The Executive Director of the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), Dr Rasheed Draman, has commended the Deputy Minority Leader for rejecting an alleged GH¢70,000 gift reportedly linked to the vetting of ministerial and judicial nominees by Parliament’s Appointments Committee.
According to Dr Draman, the decision by the Deputy Minority Leader to reject the money was a bold step that could help bring greater scrutiny to concerns surrounding the work of the Appointments Committee.
Speaking on the JoyNews AM Show on Friday, September 4, Dr Draman said the Deputy Minority Leader deserved recognition for taking a position that, in his view, could provide an opportunity for Parliament to confront concerns about alleged inducements associated with its vetting processes.
“I think the truth is, first of all, we have to commend the Deputy Minority Leader for this bold step that she has taken,” Dr Draman said.
“I know it’s not been an easy decision for her to take, so let’s commend her for that,” he added.
However, Dr Draman said the development should not end with commendation for the lawmaker, arguing that the allegation raises broader questions about the integrity of parliamentary vetting and whether similar practices have occurred in the past.
“But, after that commendation, this action opens the Committee to a number of questions,” he said. “This is not the first time we are hearing this.”
The ACEPA Executive Director said one of the key questions that Parliament and Ghanaians must now confront is whether allegations of financial inducements during the vetting process point to a wider and longstanding practice.
“So the question many Ghanaians would ask is that, is this a practice that has been going on over the years?” he asked.
Dr Draman noted that Ghana’s Appointments Committee has traditionally been regarded as an important component of the country’s constitutional system, particularly because of its role in scrutinising nominees put forward by the Executive.
He said Parliament’s vetting system has also attracted admiration beyond Ghana, with other African legislatures regarding it as an important mechanism for checking executive power.
“Many Parliaments commend our Parliament for the system that we have, which serves as a very important check on the executive power.”
He therefore expressed concern that allegations of inducements could undermine public confidence in an institution that is expected to provide rigorous scrutiny of presidential nominees.
“But now, if we are hearing that this important system that we have is one that is subject to controversy,” Dr Draman said, “then we have to ask some serious questions.”
Dr Draman pointed to previous controversies involving Parliament’s vetting processes as another reason for the latest allegation to receive serious attention.
He referred to comments previously made by former Majority Leader and current Minister for Local Government, as well as an instance in which a media personality appeared before the Appointments Committee to apologise.
“Recently, I think we had a media personality appear before the Committee to apologise. We have heard so many things. I mean, it’s very, very muddy.”
For Dr Draman, the accumulation of such incidents makes it necessary for Parliament to establish whether allegations of inducements are isolated incidents or evidence of a broader problem.
“The important question we should all ask is, is it a practice that is pervasive within this Committee as well as other Committees of Parliament?” he asked.
“And if so, maybe this is the time to really clean this up.”
Dr Draman said the latest allegation could present Parliament with an opportunity to undertake a serious examination of its vetting procedures and the conduct of individuals involved in the process.
He argued that the reported rejection of the GH¢70,000 allegedly offered to the Deputy Minority Leader could provide the kind of evidence needed to move the debate beyond speculation.
“I think all around, people were looking for incontrovertible evidence,” he said.
“And I think this similar heroic act by the Deputy Minority Leader provides Parliament and provides the country with that evidence.”
He suggested that the latest development should prompt Parliament to look closely at how vetting-related interactions are conducted and whether there are adequate safeguards against attempts to influence lawmakers.
Dr Draman stressed that the appropriate response would depend on what Parliament’s investigation establishes.
