GHC2k was highest amount I received from Chief of Staff while on Appointments Committee – Joe Wise

Former First Deputy Speaker of Parliament and ex-chairman of the Appointments Committee, Joseph Osei-Owusu, known as Joe Wise, has disclosed receiving only GHC2,000.00 from the Chief of Staff as a facilitation token for parliamentary duties.

He clarified in an interview with Joy News that such gestures, which occurred after committee sittings, were not bribes but were meant to aid MPs due to delayed allowances.

Osei-Owusu explained that in 2009, MPs' sitting allowances were delayed for an entire year, prompting Parliament leadership to seek assistance from the Chief of Staff.

He emphasized that public perceptions of MPs benefiting personally from parliamentary work were exaggerated, noting that the GHC2,000.00 was the highest amount he ever received, with other occasions offering as little as GHC500.