The Minority in parliament has alleged that the government is using National Security to cover up the Commonwealth Games visa scandal, and, thus, demanding an independent commission of enquiry into the matter.
The Minority believes the National Security, which has been tasked by the Ministry of Youth and Sports to probe the matter, will only cover up the scandal in which about 50 fake Ghanaian journalists were deported from Australia.
The Ministry requested the office of the National Security to thoroughly investigate the circumstances under which they fake journalists acquired visas for the ongoing 21st Commonwealth Games in Australia.
“The Ministry believes the National Security has the capacity to unravel the truth surrounding the unpleasant situation Ghana finds herself among the comity of sporting nations,” a statement signed by Minister Isaac Asiamah and dated 6 April 2018 but released on Monday, 9 April 2018 noted.
However, the Minority, in a statement signed by Ranking Member, Communications Committee of Parliament, A.B.A. Fuseini, said: “The Minority in Parliament strongly reject Government’s attempt to use National Security to engage in yet another cover-up over the Commonwealth Games Visa Scandal.
“We reiterate our demand that the Commonwealth Games Visa Scandal, which has lowered Ghana’s image abroad, and brought considerable shame to our good name as widely reported by the international press, must be investigated by an independent commission of enquiry pursuant to Article 278 of the Constitution of Ghana.
“This is the only process by which the Akufo-Addo Government can be accorded any credit by the local and international community to be genuinely concerned about fighting the numerous cases of corruption in his Government.
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“Ghanaians have not and cannot forget how the National Security was used in a clumsy effort to cover up the ‘BOST Contaminated Fuel Saga’ only a few months back.
“Our demand, and that of many Ghanaians is that President Akufo-Addo must immediately halt this National Security charade and appoint credible persons with the requisite expertise to conduct a public enquiry into this matter.
“The overwhelming expectations following this scandal that has dented Ghana’s image and the reputation of Ghanaian journalists are that: we need to know: who are the public officials involved in this racket, who are their collaborators, how deep is the rot, is there any ministerial complicity, especially at the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration; what will be the recommendations needed to forestall this in the future as there are quite a number of international tournaments on the horizon?
“We take note of Ghana’s abysmal performance so far at the games, which reveals what the priority of our officials were ahead of the games. Clearly, while other countries were focused on preparing their athletes to lift high the flags of their respective countries, our officials were busily recruiting fake journalists in a shameful unpatriotic moneymaking scam.
“The Minority wishes to appeal to President Akufo-Addo to exercise good leadership and salvage what is left of Ghana’s sinking image abroad. A national security report on this matter would be discredited and shall not be well received by the local and international community. We must also not lose sight of the effect this would have on genuine visa applicants to tournaments of this nature in the future.
“The world is watching us. Let’s do the right thing, Mr President.”
