Trade/Industry

Accra, March 12, GNA - Members of Parliament on Friday unanimously approved the nomination of Mr. Mahama Ayariga, former Spokesman to the President as Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry thus ending the controversy surrounding his appointment. This follows his clearance by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and subsequent approval by the appointment committee of the house of malfeasance and wrongdoing.

According to Appointment Committee's report signed by Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, first Deputy Speaker and Chairman, Mr Ayariga failed to be approved because of allegation levelled against him on acquisition of five tractors to set up a mechanization centre for which he paid 10,000 Ghana cedis as deposit.

Mrs Joyce Bamford Addo, Speaker of Parliament, made the ruling for the approval after members supported the motion for the approval of Ayariga. Mr Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, Minority Leader said Parliament never at any time intend to review the report by CHRAJ as it was said in some circles of the media and by the Chairman of CHRAJ. He said what was published in some newspapers and "some mushroom radio stations" amounted to undermining the integrity of the house.

Mr. Mensah Bonsu said the committee wanted to be diligent and meticulous and never intended holding Mr. Ayariga to ransom, but only wanted to know whether the copy of the CHRAJ ruling which Ayariga presented to the committee was authentic. He said CHRAJ gracefully supplied the committee with a certified copy of its decision on the matter "Progressive Nationalist Forum (Complainant) verses Hon. Kwesi Ahwoi and Hon Mahama Ayariga(respondent) for the perusal of the committee." "We were not doing anything to attack the integrity of CHRAJ, adding the committee had some reservations with regard to the brand, cost of the specific and the application of the tractors supplied him by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. He said the committee wished to "admonish Ayariga to be candid and forthright in all his future dealings, he needs to be transparent as a Minister we are counseling him to come out as diligent as we know him to be in the house."

Dr. Matthew Prempeh, Member for Manhyia, said the committee said Ayariga should be candid because he was going into a sensitive Ministry.

Mr. Moses Asaga, Member for Nabdam said he tutored Ayariga to become a politician and he was a good material therefore recommended his approval to the house.

Dr. Anthony Osei Akoto, Member for Old Tafo, expressed his sympathy with Ayariga and wished him well by supporting his approval.

Alhaji Abubakari Sumani, Member for Tamale North, said we do not have any authority to challenge CHRAJ and also called for the unanimous approval of Ayariga as Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry.

Mr. Samuel Atta Akyea, Member for Akim Abuakwa South, questioned why the President did not wait for CHRAJ to finish his work before nominating him. He said the critical issue was that Ayariga has been cleared by CHRAJ pronouncing that there is no conflict of interest, no record of bankruptcy, adding a Harvard trained personality could fit into the office of a Deputy Minister.