General News of Tuesday, 17 February 2004

Source: Joy Online

BambaGate: Parliament Stays Silent

Bamba has done nothing wrong or criminal - NPP
Parliament is coming under increasing pressure to take action against the disgraced former deputy Minister of Presidntial Affairs Alhaji Moctar Bamba.

The Wenchi East MP resigned from government after ithe Chronicle newspaper started a series of reports on an alleged scandal by Alhaji Moctar Bamba, for indulging in corruption, conspiracy to commit fraud, committing fraud, impersonation and abuse of office as a minister of state.

After coming out with the 4th report on the alleged scandal, Alhaji Moctar Bamba, who was also chairman of the Nasara club, was left with no option than to resign, apparently to save himself from further embarrassment. President Kufuor had accepted his resignation but said, that would not prejudice any investigation the police would carry into his alleged deals.
Parliament has been remarkably silent on the matter. Members on both the minority and majority side of the house say the privileges committee can only take action if a formal complaint is lodged.
But critics say given the nature of the issue, parliament should act as it did by inviting Independent editor Egbert Fabille after he severely criticised members of the minority house.
Majority leader Owusu Agyepong told JoyNews that there was no way parliament would debate the matter if no formal complaint is lodged with them.
He also insisted that parliament had more important issues to deal with.
But the disgraceful manner of his exit notwithstanding, Bamba says he would contest the 2004 parliamentary elections. And he seems to have the full support of his party. NPP national organiser Laud Commey told JoyNews that the party do not feel Bamba has done anything wrong or criminal.
He even went further to say that by admitting to indiscretion and resigning, Bamba had done the party and government some credit by proving that they are prepared to leave clean and would take responsibility for the government.
That comment has been heavily criticised. Stand up comedian Kweku Sintim Misa said Commey?s comments were unfortunate because it undermined government?s effort at fighting corruption.