The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has urged former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu to retract and apologise for claiming that the speaker met with President Akufo-Addo in Dubai in 2021, prior to the 2022 budget’s rejection.
This clarification comes after Mr Amidu accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, and the national chairman of secretly meeting with President Akufo Addo before rejecting the 2021 budget.
“Asiedu Nketiah and John Mahama, did your confessed corrupt Speaker of Parliament not meet the President in Dubai in 2021 before he returned to Parliament to turn a closed eye to his own determination that rejected the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Government? Did you not see, observe, and read the reaction and excitement amongst your Minority Leader and his team after meeting the President on 20th May, 2024,”he wrote.
However, Peter Bamfo, Head of the Speaker’s Communication Unit, stated in a statement that Martin Amidu’s claims are “baseless, unfounded, and part of a deliberate attempt to tarnish the Speaker’s reputation.”
“The Rt.Hon. Speaker request Mr Amidu to do the honourable thing and withdraw his statement and apology unreservedly to the Speaker of Parliament and indeed the Parliament of Ghana, with the same prominence as he made the false and malicious statements with Seven days from the date of the release of this rejoinder”, Mr Bamfo demanded.
He emphasized that the Speaker has a long record of distinguished and honest public service and will continue to put the interest of Ghana first.
“The Rt Hon Speaker will not be deterred from carrying out his public service duties, guiding and providing leadership for Parliament even in the face of insinuations, unprovoked attacks and unfounded allegations like Mr Amidu’s,” portion of the statement read.
Mr. Bamfo reiterated that the Speaker does not have a vote in Parliament and does not take part in decisions of the House as stated in the 1992 Constitution and affirmed by the Supreme Court of Ghana.
