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Chairman of Parliament’s Appointment Committee says working with Minority members of the Committee who accused him of facilitating an attempt to bribe them has been difficult.

Joseph Osei Owusu said he was, however, able to apply the rules of Parliament and had managed to rise above the emotions in order to ensure fairness among the 26-member committee.

Speaking in an interview with Joy News, the Member of Parliament for Bekwai said “It’s not been easy, whether you like it or not, you are human. You look at people who have falsely accused you. If you had your own way, you will pretend they don’t exist, but you can’t because it’s no longer about you. It’s about the state.

“It’s about your leadership style. It’s about leadership of Parliament, if it was left to my emotions, probably the situation would have been difficult,” Mr Osei Owusu added.

Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga, alleged in January that the then Energy Minister-designate, Boakye Agyarko attempted bribing minority members of the appointments committee with GHS3,000 each to facilitate his approval.

According to the MP, the money was given to Mr. Osei Owusu, who then passed it on to Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarack for disbursement to them.

Both men have denied the allegation. Two other members of the Appointment’s Committee on the Minority side; MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and MP for Tamale North Alhassan Suhuyini, have publicly backed Mr. Ayariga’s claim, insisting they were offered money.