Samson Lardy Anyenini Blows Away Arguments That Cash for Vetting Does Not Constitute Bribery
Lawyer and media commentator Samson Lardy Anyenini has firmly rejected attempts to justify alleged payments made to members of Parliament’s Appointments Committee by the Executive. He insists that no matter how these payments are described—whether made before, during, or after the vetting process—they fall squarely within the definition of corruption.
Anyenini's response follows recent revelations by former First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu, who stated on Joy News' PM Express that appointees under the previous Nana Akufo-Addo administration provided money to the committee he chaired. According to Osei-Owusu, the payments were made through the then Chief of Staff and were described as “facilitation” rather than bribes. He defended the act, arguing that since the payments were made after the vetting process was concluded, they could not have influenced the committee’s decisions in any way.
However, Anyenini strongly refuted this explanation, maintaining that in Ghanaian law, "facilitation" is explicitly recognized as a term associated with corruption. He emphasized that irrespective of the amount or timing of the payments, such transactions constitute corruption and must not be normalized or excused.
He further pointed out that accepting money from individuals who are vetted for public office raises serious ethical and legal concerns. Anyenini argued that the independence and integrity of the vetting process are undermined when financial transactions occur between appointees and the committee responsible for assessing their suitability.
The lawyer also warned against creating loopholes in the fight against corruption by rebranding questionable financial dealings with less incriminating terms. He stressed that corruption, in any form, erodes public trust in governance and weakens institutions meant to ensure accountability.
His stance echoes broader concerns about transparency and ethical governance in Ghana, with many calling for stricter regulations to prevent undue influence in parliamentary vetting processes.
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