After a near-brawl incident between the two in the foyer of Parliament on Monday, December,17, 2018, Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has rendered an unqualified apology to her colleague legislator Sam George.
Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George revealed this to host of Anopa Kasapa on Kasapa Fm, Kweku Owusu Adjei Tuesday morning that the minister through a telephone conversation apologized for her actions.
“The minister has called me last night and apologized for it, I told her I will let it go. I will not be pressing any further charges on it, I’ve let it go” he said.
As to what may have incensed her for her to have acted the way she did, he said “She said I know her, it was just the heat of the moment, I said okay I’ve heard, as humans we make mistakes. I’ve moved on”.
The confrontation which went viral on various social media platforms stemmed from earlier presentation on the floor of parliament where the Minority, led by the Ranking Member for the Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa alleged that the ministry was engaged in cost inflation, after it has made plans to purchase a 100 year old 6 bedroom apartment at a cost of $12 million in Oslo, Norway.
His claims were however backed with documents which he turn in as evidence but the speaker ruled that the evidence is not admissible because the documents are not verifiable.
Meanwhile the Ministry, in a statement has denied ever signing any agreement in relation to the said property urging the minority to be circumspect in issues of national interest.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not signed any agreement to purchase the said properties; that is the Chancery and the Ambassador’s Residence.
“The Ministry expressed interest in two properties in Oslo and as required by the Public Procurement Act commenced due diligence on the properties with the assistance of a property Value and a reputable Lawyer with expertise in the acquisition of properties for Diplomatic Missions.
3. As of now the Ministry has not entered into any binding agreement with the owners of the properties,” the statement said.