Commenting on the revelation made by former First Deputy Speaker, Hon. Joseph Osei-Owusu, about money being given to members of the Appointments Committee after each vetting session, lawyer Martin Kpebu expressed concerns about the motive behind such actions.
He emphasized that the involvement of the Chief of Staff at the time in bringing money to the committee members was clearly intended to influence their decisions and actions.
Kpebu highlighted the seriousness of this matter, suggesting that it was an attempt to compromise the integrity of the committee’s work.
“And as I said, usually the signals were sent before the money came that, ‘oh, you know, go slow on X or Y’. And that at the end of the day, we would be bringing the package.
“Even, even if it’s not expressively said. Oh, that’s the system. That’s how it works. We don’t have to be shy about it because if we don’t speak plainly, it will never go away. Everybody [on the committee] understood”.
Martin Kpebu
Kpebu further pointed out that while it was good for Hon. Osei-Owusu to admit the practice, he believed the explanation was somewhat misleading, as it only mentioned that money was given at the end of the vetting process.
Kpebu reiterated that in reality, the signal for such exchanges is often sent much earlier, but the final performance occurs at the end. He explained that this practice inevitably influences how nominees are vetted.
He referred to past instances where certain nominees, who many felt were unqualified or unsuitable, still made it through the vetting process.
In some cases, these nominees received more support on the floor of Parliament than individuals believed to be more competent.
Kpebu encouraged reflecting on these situations, particularly where some nominees failed to even define basic terms, yet still advanced.
He suggested that such inconsistencies raise serious questions about the integrity of the vetting process.
Appointment Process and Parliamentary Influence Criticized
Furthermore, Martin Kpebu expressed his frustration with the troubling practice of ministers being appointed to key positions despite lacking basic knowledge of their respective ministries.
He lamented that some nominees, who are supposed to oversee critical areas of government, could not even define fundamental terms related to their portfolios.
He pointed out the absurdity of such a situation, questioning how individuals without a clear understanding of basic concepts within their ministry could be entrusted with leadership roles.
This, he argued, speaks to the deeper issues within the vetting and appointment process, highlighting the potential consequences of prioritizing political loyalty over competence.
“Right. And people were upset at the end of the day. These were the things that were going on [with the Appointment Committee. Yeah. These were the things”.
Martin Kpebu
Meanwhile, Kofi Abotsi, Dean of the UPSA School of Law, expressed his concern over the troubling admission made by the former Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
He described the revelation that parliamentary committees may withhold their work unless “facilitated” by executive payments as deeply disturbing. Abotsi emphasized the gravity of such a practice, as it undermines the integrity and independence of Parliament.
This admission raises serious questions about the influence of the executive on the legislature and calls into doubt the genuine commitment of parliamentary committees to serve the public interest.
Abotsi further stressed that such behavior erodes public trust in democratic institutions and the rule of law, pointing out the urgent need for reforms to safeguard the legislature’s independence and credibility.
“Unless Parliament is determined to assert its independence, money will control parliamentary oversight”.
Kofi Abotsi
He underscored the critical need for transparency within Parliament to build and maintain public trust in both the institution and its committees.
Abotsi highlighted that without clear, open practices, the integrity of parliamentary proceedings could be called into question, leading to a loss of confidence among citizens.
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