Former First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu, has stated that facilitating the work of parliament financially to enable its members carry out their work should not be considered corruption.

He said in most cases, budgets for parliamentary work so delay that if committees were to await the releases before getting work done, nothing may be done at the end of the day, which may also disadvantage people seeking public services.

He therefore dismissed suggestions that money paid by the Executive to members of Parliament's Appointments Committee after they vet nominees, constitute bribery and corruption.

He explained that Members of Parliament require funds to fuel their vehicles and cover other expenses to be present in the chamber or at committee sittings to perform their duties. Therefore, if there is ever a shortfall in funding from Parliament’s administration, external support is acceptable to help them carry out their work.

He said, “When committees need to work on reports for agencies, and Parliament has no funds, why should I use my own vehicle and fuel to carry out the work of the agency? Either you facilitate this, or you wait until Parliament is able to release money. If this is what you call corruption, then you clearly misunderstand what it means to work for the government.”

Mr Osei-Owusu was speaking on the Super Morning Show on Joy FM on Thursday, January 30, while discussing allegations of bribery against parliamentarians.

The former Bekwai MP also revealed that, during his time in Parliament, the Chief of Staff ever provided them facilitation after completing certain duties.

Read also: Chief of Staff gave us money after vetting, but it’s not bribery’ – Joseph Osei-Owusu

His comments follow an allegation made by a youth activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor, who claimed that members of Parliament’s Appointment Committee were accepting money from ministerial nominees before approving them after their vetting.

Although Mr. Barker-Vormawor later appeared before Parliament to apologise and retract the allegation, the issue has remained on the front burner, sparking public debate over whether it is acceptable for Members of Parliament to receive money for performing their duties, aside from their official salaries and allowances.

Listen to Joe Osei-Owusu argue his point in the video below. Private legal practitioners Samson Lardy Anyenini and Martin Kpebu, who were part of the discussion, rejected Osei-Owusu's position.

Read also: Bribery allegations are nothing new, but no proof exists’ – Deputy Minority Leader