The minority in Parliament has called for urgent clarification from the government over what it describes as a major reputational crisis following the arrest of the member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. Speaking in Parliament on behalf of Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Deputy Minority Leader and Asokwa MP, Patricia Appiagyei said the minority wants full disclosure on 10 matters it considers to be of national concern.
First on the list was the arrest of the Asante Akyem North MP over alleged financial crimes linked to an international investigative corporation, which has cast Ghana in a negative light internationally. The minority in Parliament acknowledged that although the government, Parliament, and Ghana’s mission in The Hague are working to secure legal representation and provide consular support for the MP, she said that those efforts alone are not enough, considering the international attention the matter has attracted.
She argued that Ghana’s image has suffered significantly following reports carried by European media and warned that the situation reflects poorly on both parliament and the country.
The minority in Parliament, therefore, called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Speaker to intensify diplomatic engagement on the matter. The caucus also demanded regular briefings to Parliament and a formal statement outlining measures being taken to manage the international fallout.
Patricia Appiagyei further urged the public, political actors, and the media to exercise restraint, insisting that no court has made any findings against the MP.
“Our country’s name has been dragged through European headlines in a manner that reflects poorly on this Parliament and this nation. The Government must respond to this as what it is, a crisis with serious reputational consequences for Ghana. We call on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Speaker’s Office to intensify engagement, deploy a senior diplomatic presence, brief this House regularly and issue a formal statement on managing the international fallout,” she read.
According to her, the minority will not condemn its colleague in the court of public opinion and expects others to uphold the principle of innocence until proven guilty.
“Such silence and routine would not suffice on innocents until proven guilty. The minority is unequivocal. No court has made any findings against our colleague. We would not try him in the court of public opinion. And we call on all political actors and media to show the same restraint.”
