Parliament urged to investigate $100,000 paid by expatriates to sit by Akufo-Addo

Deputy National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fred Agbenyo has called on the Speaker of Parliament to institute investigations into monies paid by expatriates to sit close to President Akufo-Addo. The Minority Chief Whip Mubarak Muntaka has accused the Trade Ministry of charging “unapproved fees” to the tune of $100,000 to grant access to President Akufo-Addo at an event. Mubarak Muntaka says the Ministry on October 23, 2017, wrote a letter to Ghana Business Expatriates Community in Ghana asking participants to pay monies ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 to sit with the president on the same table at an awards night. The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has asked the sector Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten to explain what actually transpired. Meanwhile, Mr. Agbenyo has told TV3’s New Day hosted by Bright Nana Amfoh on Thursday that “This is an issue that must be investigating by Parliament. Parliament must set up a committee to investigate the issue.” He said “it is not good for our image. They are selling the President for people to raise money for their own interest and tell the President the people will sit with you…what image are we creating for this country”. But the Deputy Chief Executive Officer for the Ghana Export Promotions Authority, Eric Amoako Twum, contributing to the discussions said “we need to give them more opportunities to either explain further or defend themselves”. He said “if in principle that is the case, then it is wrong. If it is anything that is going to tarnish the image of the President it has to be dealt with”. By Kweku Antwi-Otoo|TV3|editors.3news.com|Ghana