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General News of Monday, 6 July 2009

Source: GBC/pfm

GT -Vodafone Sale: MPs were bribed

Odoben Brakwa P.C. Appiah Ofori has alleged that New Patriotic Party (NPP) members of parliament (MP) were given five thousand dollars by the then office of the Chief of Staff to vote in favour of the Sale of Ghana Telecom to Vodafone.

Speaking to Radio Ghana, Ofori said when the deal got to his notice he wrote to the office of the Chief of Staff to protest what he described as corruption. Mr. Ofori spoke to George Ankrah.

Reacting to the allegation the former Chief of Staff, Kwadwo Mpiani said there is no iota of truth in Mr. Appiah Ofori’s claim.

He however admitted that he received a letter of protest from Mr. P.C. Appiah Ofori in relation to the alleged distribution of five thousand dollars for MP’s who voted for the deal and asked him to withdraw the letter because it was baseless.

Kwadwo Mpiani Denies Allegations

The former chief of staff, Kwadwo Mpiani has snapped at Hon. P. C. Appiah Ofori, for alleging that the former majority leader and the NPP members in Parliament took $5000 each from the government as bribe before voting in favour of the GT-Vodafone deal. Speaking on Peace FMs Kokrokoo Morning Show, Mr. Mpiani said Hon. Ofori Appiah was telling lies to gain public attention and to make him (P.C) look like a saint or someone who fights corruption whereas he is not.

He also told P.C Appiah Ofori to get away with his lies and pretence. According to Mr. Mpiani, the government never bribed the MPs to vote. They voted in favour because they realised that Ghana Telecom was collapsing. But Hon. Appiah Ofori insisted they were bribed, but he did not receive his share because at that time he had gone out.



He disclosed to Peace FM that he was told by one of the beneficiaries but said he cannot recollect their names. However, Hon. Doe Adjaho whose name came up during these allegations told Peace FM that Hon. Ofori never mentioned the names of those beneficiaries who revealed the scandal to him - but just him called to find out if he had any information on the said matter.