Probe controversial Ministers of State Excellence awards - Minority urges parliament

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called for the establishment of an investigative committee to examine circumstances surrounding the recently organised Ghana Ministers of State Excellence Honours, following allegations that have cast a shadow over the credibility of the awards scheme.

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The call was made on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, June 11, by the Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Habib Iddrisu, who argued that a thorough and impartial investigation is necessary to establish the processes, standards, and criteria used in selecting recipients of the awards.

The demand follows allegations by the Director-General of the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), Professor Michael Kpessa-Whyte, who claimed that he was asked to pay GH¢50,000 in exchange for receiving an award under the scheme.

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The allegation sparked public debate and raised questions about the integrity of the awards programme, with calls from some quarters for greater transparency and accountability regarding how honourees are selected.

Habib Iddrisu said the explanations offered so far were insufficient and that Parliament had a responsibility to ensure that the truth behind the controversy was established.

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“Listening to the issue and the response given by the Minister for Government Communication, Mr. Speaker, if you can kindly direct to set up a committee to investigate the matter.

“A bipartisan committee should investigate this matter so that we know the criteria for the awards. We deserve the truth.”