Parliament has officially addressed the alleged GHc 70,000 memorandum linked to Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei, stating it is monitoring the situation “with serious concern.”
In a statement issued by the Director of Media Relations, Parliament acknowledged the widespread media circulation of the document but emphasized that its authenticity remains unverified.
Key Developments
· Authenticity Questioned: The House notes that the Deputy Minority Leader has denied knowledge of the memorandum, and Parliament has not independently verified its legitimacy.
· No Determination Yet: “At this early stage, Parliament does not make any determination as to the truth or otherwise of the competing claims,” the statement read.
· OSP Investigation Welcome: The Rt. Hon Speaker has welcomed the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) decision to investigate and urged the office to pursue the matter “thoroughly and expeditiously.”
Speaker’s Stance on Possible Forgery
Should the investigation reveal that the memorandum was fabricated or falsely attributed, the Speaker has indicated that:
· The matter will not end with that finding alone
· Cybersecurity authorities and relevant law enforcement agencies should be engaged
· Those responsible for creating and circulating the false document should face legal consequences
The statement emphasized that fabricating and circulating purported parliamentary documents “will amount to a serious assault on the integrity and reputation of the Institution.”
Call for Caution
Parliament has urged the public, media, and stakeholders to:
“Exercise caution in sharing the document and drawing conclusions on it until its authenticity is verified and established.”
Commitment to Transparency
Parliament reassured Ghanaians of its commitment to transparency, accountability, and integrity, particularly regarding the workings of the Appointment Committee. The Rt. Hon Speaker is determined that:
“The facts of this matter will be established and the appropriate consequences would follow in accordance with the Law.”
EcowasNewsOnline.com
