The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has concluded its investigation into an alleged bribery scandal in Ghana’s Parliament, involving a wealthy businessman.
The OSP was compelled to end the probe due to the non-cooperation of the main accuser, Member of Parliament for Asante-Akim-North, Andy Appiah Kubi.
During the investigation, the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, who made a similar claim, denied having direct knowledge of the matter.
In its report dated December 28, 2023, the OSP stated that Mr. Appiah-Kubi’s refusal to cooperate with the investigation and to disclose the suspect’s identity was regrettable.
The OSP added that it is perplexing for a Member of Parliament to publicly level accusations of attempted bribery against someone and then refuse to cooperate with the investigation.
The OSP started its investigations in 2023 over allegations that a wealthy businessman tried to induce Members of Parliament on the Majority side to back down on their demands for the dismissal of the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta.
Andy Appiah Kubi and over 50 New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs in 2022 called for the removal of the Finance Minister. The MPs later softened their stance after meeting President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
They heeded the President’s plea to keep the Minister in office to seal Ghana’s bailout deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The OSP explained in its report that it is convinced that a well-known wealthy Ghanaian businessman visited Parliament House in October 2022 and requested a meeting with a section of NPP Members of Parliament.
The businessman in question attempted to offer them money to influence their demand for the resignation or removal of Mr Ofori-Atta.
The OSP identified the businessman but due to Mr. Appiah-Kubi’s refusal to cooperate, there was not enough evidence to sustain the institution of criminal proceedings against him.
The OSP directed the investigation’s closure regarding allegations that a well-known and wealthy businessman attempted to bribe a section of the majority caucus of Parliament.
The OSP determined that the institution of criminal proceedings, at this time, against the identified suspect would serve no useful purpose. The investigation may be reopened should the circumstances and further facts so dictate.
