Mr Ablakwa has questioned why the meeting was not held virtually if there were urgent matters to be discussed or rescheduled.

Reports were rife the board chaired by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, held a meeting in Dubai a few weeks ago.

This was at a time Mr Bagbin was undergoing medical review at the destination, hence it was for his convenience.

Though the report has sparked controversy among a section of Ghanaians, there has not been any official response to it.

Taking to his social media page, the lawmaker noted the report must be of concern to all Ghanaians.

With Parliament as the arm of government responsible for financial oversight, especially, over the Executive, Mr Ablakwa stated it wouldn’t look great if the reports are confirmed.

 “Probably, there’s a superior explanation to address the legitimate anxiety being expressed by many Ghanaians.

ALSO READ:

• Asiedu Nketia appointed to serve on Parliamentary Board

• You earn salary for doing nothing – Speaker attacks section of Parliamentary Service staff

“If there is, we can only urge the Parliamentary Service to put out a statement clarifying matters, since for now, the optics do not do the image of Parliament any good,” part of his statement read.

The board is mandated to seek the welfare of members and staff of Parliament as well as promote other interests of the Legislature.

Its presence allows Parliament to undertake various procurement activities to ensure the smooth running of the Legislature.

Members of the Board are the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu and Abraham Osei Aidoo, who is a former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) and former Majority Leader.

Others are General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Asiedu Nketia and the Clerk of Parliament, Cyril Nsiah.

Read Mr Ablakwa’s full statement below:

A member of the Parliamentary Service Board, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has confirmed their visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dubai.

But contrary to reports that the Board was in Dubai for a meeting, the former says it was training for all members.

“It was a training that lasted for about six days and it was held in Dubai because of the number involved and the cost that will be incurred in transporting resources here,” he said on Accra-based Neat FM.

Mr Nketia’s comments come on the back of concerns raised by North Tongu Member of Parliament (MP), Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, over the trip.

Mr Ablakwa, among other things, has questioned if the meeting could not be rescheduled or be held virtually if it was urgent.

But according to Mr Nketia, the consultant is based in Dubai and usually organises the training for Parliament including the staff, MPs and board members.

“The training was to be done in April after our appointment so the Clerk initiated the processes but it couldn’t come on and was postponed to later this year. So it has nothing to do with the Speaker’s sickness; it was a mere coincident,” he explained.

READ ON:

• Asiedu Nketia breaks silence on parliamentary board appointment

• Allotey Jacobs reacts to Asiedu Nketia’s Parliamentary Service Board appointment [Audio]

To General Mosquito, as he is popularly called, the training could have happened without the presence of the Speaker, stating this is not the first time he is serving on the board.

He further revealed the board has begun implementing some of the recommendations and lessons learnt from the training.

Play the audio above: