Majority Leader of Parliament, Afenyo-Markin has refuted claims and suggestions that the Akufo-Addo administration is targeting Minority Leader Cassiel Ato-Forson for his criticisms against the government.
During an exclusive interview on JoyNews’ The Pulse show on Friday, May 31, 2024, the Effutu legislator debunked allegations that the Minority Leader is being persecuted due to his consistent criticisms of the government, stating that such claims are entirely unfounded.
“It is unfounded to suggest that individuals are being prosecuted solely because of their criticism of the government.
Haruna Iddrisu was highly critical of the government, yet he was not subjected to government prosecution regarding the double salary issue,” he clarified.
“If the government intended to prosecute opposition MPs for criticizing them, then figures like Haruna Iddrisu, Armah Kofi Buah, Mahama Ayariga, and others would have faced legal action over the double salary issue,” he added.
The Majority Leader highlighted that the double salary issue was a straightforward matter that could have led to the imprisonment of many NDC MPs, but President Akufo-Addo chose to resolve it by having them reimburse the funds instead of facing trial.
He explained that the President opted not to send a significant number of political figures to court for fear of tarnishing Parliament’s image and causing public discontent towards the political class.
Therefore, the decision was made to allow MPs who received double salaries to repay them.
He urged Ghanaians to dismiss claims that individuals are being prosecuted over ambulance matters due to their consistent criticisms of the Akufo-Addo administration.
Reports indicated that approximately 48 Members of Parliament who served as ministers under the previous NDC administration were alleged to have received double salaries.
This led to an investigation by the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service, citing their actions as contrary to Section 124 (1) of the Criminal and Other Offence Act 1960 (Act 29) as amended in 2012, Act 849, which pertains to the offense of stealing.
Some of the NDC MPs named in the double salary issue included Alban Bagbin, Haruna Iddrisu, E.T. Mensah, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa, Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe Ghansah, Eric Opoku, Inusah Fuseini, Mahama Ayariga, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, Aquinas Tawiah Quansah, Alhassan Azong, Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, among others.