The Parliament of Ghana has expressed its readiness to cooperate fully with the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and other authorised investigative agencies investigating a controversial memorandum circulating on social media and allegedly linked to Deputy Minority Leader and Asokwa MP Patricia Appiagyei.
The document, which reportedly concerns the alleged return of GH¢70,000, has generated significant public attention following questions over its authenticity. In a statement dated September 5 and signed by Parliament’s Director of Media Relations, David Sebastian Damoah, the institution said it had taken note of the circulating memo, the public reaction it has triggered and subsequent claims denying that the document is genuine.
Parliament said the issue raises serious concerns regarding both political accountability and parliamentary integrity. It noted that any allegation involving payments associated with the work of a parliamentary committee, particularly the Appointments Committee, requires appropriate investigation and scrutiny.
At the same time, Parliament expressed concern over the possibility that the document could have been fabricated and falsely attributed to a sitting Member of Parliament. Such an act, it said, could damage public confidence in Ghana’s Parliament and undermine the reputation of the institution.
The parliamentary authorities stressed that they have not independently established the authenticity of the alleged memo and therefore will not take a position on the conflicting claims until the relevant investigations are completed.
Parliament also confirmed reports that the Office of the Special Prosecutor has commenced investigations into the matter. The Rt. Hon. Speaker has welcomed the probe and encouraged the OSP to conduct a thorough and timely investigation.
The investigation is expected to determine whether the memorandum is authentic and establish the truth surrounding the claims contained in the document.
Speaker Calls for Action If Memo Is Proven Fake
Parliament said that if investigations establish that the memo was deliberately fabricated or falsely attributed to Patricia Appiagyei, the matter should not end with the confirmation that the document is fake.
The Speaker has called on the appropriate investigative bodies to work with the Cyber Security Authority and other relevant law enforcement agencies to identify the individuals behind the creation and distribution of the alleged false document.
Where sufficient evidence is found, those responsible should be prosecuted or otherwise held accountable in accordance with Ghanaian law.
Parliament warned that deliberately creating and circulating fake documents presented as official communications from Members of Parliament or parliamentary offices would amount to a serious threat to the integrity, credibility and reputation of Parliament.
The institution has consequently urged members of the public, journalists and other stakeholders to exercise caution when sharing the alleged GH¢70,000 memo or making conclusions about its contents.
Parliament said the authenticity of the document and the circumstances surrounding its circulation must first be properly established through the ongoing investigation.
The institution reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and parliamentary integrity, particularly in relation to the work of the Appointments Committee and other parliamentary processes.
Source: newsthemegh.com