Member of Parliament for Banda, Ahmed Ibrahim says an independent parliamentary probe into the allegations against Vice-President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and former Minister of State, Charles Adu Boahen will not yield any result.

This, he explained is because previous parliamentary probes into any alleged misconduct of a state official have been unsatisfactory.

According to him, the lack of continuous efforts to prosecute individuals implicated in such acts have encouraged other state officials to engage in corrupt activities.

“Even though I am a leader in Parliament, I am not satisfied with the previous parliamentary probes on the same issue and because Parliament could not do effective work, all that have emboldened other Ministers to do same because it is their government in power.

"So now to call for a parliamentary probe would not be effective because Parliament can not do it,” he told JoyNews.

The Deputy Minority Whip has thus called for a joint investigation by the Special Prosecutor and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

“I think the President in handing it to the Special Prosecutor may not be enough but EOCO itself must come on board if the two or three independent institutions are investigating the same matter. At least one may come out genuinely with a good result,” he noted.

What are the allegations against Dr. Bawumia?

A documentary by investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas which was aired on Monday contained some claims levelled against the Vice President by a former Minister of State, Charles Adu Boahen.

In the said documentary, Charles Adu Boahen is said to have told the undercover investigators that Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia needed $200,000 as an appearance fee before meeting with supposed investors. 

The Minister is also reported to have said that the Vice President would require some contracts from an investor for his siblings to get his backing and influence in establishing a business in Ghana.

“You mean, like appearance fees and stuff? I mean he, himself (the Vice President), if you give him some (USD) 200,000 or something as a token, as thank you, appreciation, that’s fine. 

“He’s not really, he’s not really (like) that. All he needs is to worry about his campaign money in 2020,” Charles Adu Boahen is alleged to have said.

Charles Adu Boahen has since been sacked by the President. In a statement from the Presidency, the Director of Communications, Eugene Arhin, said, “After being made aware of the allegations levelled against the Minister in the exposé, ‘Galamsey Economy’, the President spoke to Mr Adu Boahen, after which he took the decision to terminate his appointment, and also to refer the matter to the Special Prosecutor for further investigations.”

But many Ghanaians are calling for investigations into the claims against the Vice-President.

Dr. Bawumia has, however, denied such allegations.