The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has commenced preliminary investigations into allegations surrounding GH¢70,000 reportedly allocated in connection with the vetting of ministerial and Supreme Court nominees by Parliament’s Appointments Committee.

The probe follows a memorandum circulating on social media, purportedly authored by the Deputy Minority Leader and MP for Asokwa, Patricia Appiagyei.

The document, allegedly addressed to the Minority Chief Whip and MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, claimed that Mrs. Appiagyei returned GH¢70,000 given to her as an advance from the Majority Chief Whip.

According to the memo, the money was linked to the vetting of two ministerial nominees and three Supreme Court nominees.

In a public notice issued on September 4, the OSP said it has begun investigating the authenticity of the document, the source of the alleged funds and the purpose for which the money was allegedly provided.

The Office noted that the content of the purported memorandum raises concerns about the source of the money and possible extortion of the nominees.

“Given the constitutional importance of the Appointments Committee of Parliament and the need to safeguard the integrity of the vetting process,” the OSP said it considered it necessary to investigate the matter.

The OSP disclosed that it has invited Mrs. Appiagyei to assist with the preliminary investigation, adding that it is probing all allegations of extortion involving Members of Parliament.

Meanwhile, Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has dismissed claims that the Asokwa MP returned the alleged GH¢70,000.

Speaking to Citi News, Mr. Ahmed described the letter circulating online as fake, stating that Mrs. Appiagyei herself confirmed she had no knowledge of its origin.

“She has confirmed that she has no idea where the letter emanated from or who authored it,” he said.

The purported letter had claimed that Mrs. Appiagyei returned the money because she did not know its source and did not want to personally benefit from the vetting of government officials and Supreme Court nominees. It also referenced the Minority’s decision not to participate in the vetting of three Supreme Court nominees.

Mr. Ahmed said checks conducted on the Majority side also indicated that no such letter or payment originated from them.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme and Jacob Aggrey

The Commercial National Motor Riders Union (CNMRU) has dismissed claims that the government has failed commercial motorbike riders after receiving their support during the 2024 general election campaign.

The union described allegations by a group known as the Okada Riders Association (ORAG) as false and misleading, insisting that the government has taken concrete steps towards legalising and regulating commercial motorcycle operations.

In a statement issued after a press conference on August 18, the CNMRU stated that the government established a technical committee after the 2024 elections to conduct research and engage stakeholders on the regulation of Okada operations.

According to the union, it has been actively involved in the process, representing the interests of commercial motor riders across the country.

It added that a delegation of stakeholders travelled to Rwanda to study that country’s system for regulating commercial motorcycle operations.

The delegation included representatives of the CNMRU, the National Road Safety Authority, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the Ministry of Transport, the statement noted.

The union further stated that the bill on the regulation of commercial motorcycle operations has been laid before Parliament and is going through the legislative process.

“This is concrete progress, and it demonstrates that the government has not abandoned the Okada riders,” the CNMRU stated.

It also said sensitisation programmes were ongoing across the country to educate riders on road safety, licensing, responsible riding and the expected legal framework for commercial motorcycle operations.

The union noted that it was working with the government and the DVLA to bring mobile licensing services closer to riders and assist them in obtaining driving licences at subsidised rates.

It also welcomed plans to establish an electric motorcycle initiative in Ghana, which it said would provide commercial riders with access to environmentally friendly motorcycles under a work-and-pay arrangement.

The CNMRU explained that it supported President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during the 2024 election campaign because of their commitment to address the legal and regulatory challenges facing commercial motor riders.

“We supported a commitment, and today we are witnessing concrete steps toward fulfilling that commitment,” it stated.

However, the union acknowledged that not all the challenges facing Okada riders had been resolved.

It urged commercial motor riders, the media and the public to distinguish between what it described as political propaganda and the work being undertaken to regulate the sector.

By: Jacob Aggrey