Investigate $46,000 Missing Saga - Parliament

Parliament on Friday declared support for a full scale investigation into the scandalous loss of 46,000 dollars involving the dismissed Minister for Youth and Sports, Mallam Yusif Isa.

"The circumstances under which this money was lost leave questions unanswered and it is necessary to get to the bottom of the matter," Mr Abuga Pele, NDC-Chiana/Paga, told Parliament in a statement.

He said "the least expected is the truth and for us to give real meaning to the declaration of zero tolerance for corruption."

Mr Pele said the scandal, which occurred so early in the new administration of NPP has generated enough controversy at a time when Ghanaians are being told that the national coffers is empty.

The money was meant to be paid as winning bonuses to members of the Black Stars the National football team in their recently World Cup qualifier played in Sudan.

Ms Hawa Yakubu, Minister of Tourism, associating herself with the statement said the government will investigate the case thoroughly and will expose all previous corrupt practices in the ministry.

Mr Kosi Kedem, NDC-Hohoe South called for circumspection in dealing with what happened, saying that the ex-minister could have been "a victim of circumstances."

He said during the minister's vetting he had advised that many people including NPP members wanted the post and that he had to be careful because "it is a sandy ministry."

Papa Owusu-Ankomah, Deputy Majority Leader reminded members that the President, Mr J.A. Kufuor had already revoked the appointment of the Minister and pleaded that members should wait for the results of the investigations "before throwing stones."

Mr John Mahama, NDC-Bole regretted that the story of the scandal was getting murkier with the passage of time and he was not happy about the unprofessional manner the matter was initially handled judging from the announcement on the resignation and the revocation of the Minister's appointment