The Chairperson and Leader of the People’s National Party (PNP), Janet Nabla, has asserted that allegations of bribery in parliamentary appointments are not new in Ghana’s 4th Republic.
She stated that over the years, there have been numerous claims that some individuals seeking approval during parliamentary vetting pay bribes to secure their positions.
Speaking on Angel Morning Show (AMS) on January 29, 2025, Nabla emphasized that allegations made by Oliver Barker-Vormawor regarding bribery in parliamentary appointments should be thoroughly investigated to determine their veracity.
According to her, businessmen in Ghana play significant roles in financing Members of Parliament (MPs), making it difficult for lawmakers to challenge or speak out against them.
She noted that this situation affects both the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), as politicians from both sides rely on financial backing from business interests.
“When the President increases something by just 10%, businessmen take advantage of it and multiply the impact for their own gain. Yet, no one speaks against it because these same businessmen are the ones funding political activities,” she explained.
Nabla further criticized Parliament, stating that instead of representing the interests of ordinary Ghanaians, lawmakers tend to favor businessmen and women who fund their campaigns.
“When we vote for MPs to represent us in Parliament, we expect them to advocate for policies that benefits the ordinary Ghanaian. Unfortunately, they often prioritize the interests of businessmen and women who provide financial support to them. So, I’m not surprised that during vetting, some MPs allegedly receive bribes from these businessmen,” she remarked.
She also questioned the practice of businessmen paying so-called “facilitation fees” to MPs, arguing that genuine businesspeople should not have to offer bribes to gain influence in Parliament.
“If you are a true businessman and not a fraudster, why do you need to pay a facilitation fee to an MP before getting what you rightfully deserve?” she asked.
She concluded by stating that those who engage in such practices do so to manipulate MPs for their own benefit, ensuring that they gain undue advantages once the lawmakers assume office.
