Former deputy Education Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has been cited for “lying through his education”. Deputy Trade Minister, Carlos Ahenkora who made the claims, also accused Mr. Ablakwa of being a “thief”.

The deputy Trade Minister’s outburst took place outside the chamber of Parliament on Tuesday when he engaged in a brawl with Okudzeto Ablakwa who is also the MP for North Tongu.

Carlos Ahenkro who is also the MP for Tema West had interrupted an interview Ablakwa was granting to journalists over accusations that the Trade Ministry charged expatriates to sit with the president at an awards ceremony.

The minority had accused the ministry of charging between 25,000 and 100,000 dollars to offer them seats close to the president.

Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak during the approval of the Trade and Industry Ministry’s budget said the fees charged at the Ghana Expatriate Business Awards were not approved by Parliament. He said monies collected were also not accounted for in the ministry’s internally generated funds.

Carlos Ahenkora Speaking to the media in Parliament on Tuesday, North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa insisted the ministry was guilty of the accusations being leveled against it.

Carlos Ahenkora who felt the sponsorship was “normal” became incensed and charged at his colleague MP. “You are a big liar” he shouted at Ablakwa, “let him know that he is a thief. You have stolen through your life, and you have even lied through your education.” Mr. Ahenkora insisted that the monies the expatriates were asked to pay were sponsorship for the program and that came with various packages for the companies.

He said the ministry was not responsible for the organization of the program. Read also: Nobody paid $100,000 to sit by Akufo-Addo .