The Speaker of Parliament of the Republic of Ghana, Rt. Honourable Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has denied allegations made by the former Special Prosecutor, Martin A.B.K Amidu, suggesting that he the [Speaker of Parliament} secretly met President Akufo-Addo in Dubai in the heat of the passage of the controversial E-Levy bill.
The Head of the Speaker’s Communications Unit, Peter Bamfo, in a statement, vehemently denounced the allegations, describing the publications made by Mr Amidu as false, baseless and unfounded, further urging the general public to treat it with the contempt it deserves.
“The Office of the Speaker of Parliament has taken notice of a malicious and false publication in the media attributed to Mr Martin Amidu.
“Mr Amidu’s claim in the publications that the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin had secretly met with His Excellency the President in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is a palpable falsehood”.
Peter Bamfo, The head of the Speaker’s Communication Unit
Mr Bamfo further posited that the allegations made by the former Special Prosecutor are part of a deliberate and calculated attempt by some persons to maliciously tarnish the reputation of the Speaker of Parliament.
Recounting how similar attempts in the past have proven futile, Mr Bamfo emphasized that it is the same way the recent ones, including the one made by Mr Amidu, would not stand the test of time.
Service with Integrity
Furthermore, the Head of the Speaker’s Communications Unit, Peter Bamfo underscored the Speaker of Parliament’s commitment to serving Ghana with honesty and utmost integrity.
He emphasized that the Rt. Honourable Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has a long record of distinguished and honest public service to the Republic of Ghana and will continue, at all times, to put the interest of the Ghanaian people 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”.
Peter Bamfo, The head of the Speaker’s Communication Unit
Highlighting the Speaker’s role in the work of Parliament, Mr Bamfo criticized Mr Amidu for failing to notice that decisions taken on the floor of Parliament are an extension of the voices of the citizens by the legislators who represent them distinctively.
He emphasized that the Speaker of Parliament, unlike the Deputy Speakers, has no vote in Parliament and therefore does not take part in the decisions of the House, adding that such provision is directly and clearly stated in the 1992 Constitution and affirmed by decisions of the Supreme Court of Ghana.
Mr Bamfo thus posited that, given the Speaker’s role in the business of Parliament, there is no way he could, in any way influence the decisions that are made by the over two hundred and seventy-five Members of Parliament on highly important national issues, which mostly required voting when there is lack of consensus among the two caucuses.
Moreover, Mr Peter Bamfo, the Head of the Speaker of Parliament’s Communications Unit, while denouncing the claims made by Mr Amidu, described his allegations as malicious, and fabricated, emphasizing that the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Honourable Alban Bagbin did not have any secret meeting with President Akufo-Addo before the rejection of the 2021 Budget.
He also added that the Speaker of Parliament, since his assumption to office has not met President Akufo-Addo in Dubai or anywhere in the world, aside Ghana.
Mr Bamfo concluded his statement by urging Mr Amidu to immediately withdraw his allegations and apologise unreservedly to the Speaker of Parliament in addition to the Parliament of Ghana, with the same prominence as he made the perceived false and malicious statements, within seven days.
He underscored the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Honourable Alban Bagbin’s commitment and readiness to explore every legitimate option available to vindicate himself from the allegations made by Mr Amidu.
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