Here are the findings of the Joe Ghartey committee report on bribery allegation

The Joe Ghartey Committee which investigated the bribery allegation made by Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga against the leadership of parliament’s Appointments Committee has found him to have been in contempt of parliament.

The adhoc committee on Thursday made known its findings and recommendations.

In a 50-page document, the committee concluded that the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mr Mahama Ayariga who made the allegation was guilty of contempt of Parliament.

Member of Parliament for Bekwai and first deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joe Osei-Owusu has been vindicated.

Joe Ghartey in the report said, the Committee found Joe Osei-Owusu, consistent in his denial.

He added that the reputation of Parliament has greatly been affected by the allegation.

Here are some findings and recommendations by the five member Committee:

Mubarak Muntaka said he had never received or given money in the manner that was alleged - Joe Ghartey.
Boakye Agyarko said he had never given money to be distributed as was alleged - Joe Ghartey.
Parliament recognises that it's not all matters that should be discussed in public - Joe Ghartey.
The Committee is of the view that the CCTV camera footage if made public shall compromise security - Joe Ghartey.
The Committee did not find the evidence of MPs going to Muntaka's office with envelopes as alleged - Joe Ghartey.
We needed to establish whether Joe Osei Owusu received money from Agyarko and gave it to Mubarak Muntaka - Joe Ghartey.
Joe Osei Owusu's denial of the claims against him was emphatic and consistent from the beginning - Joe Ghartey.
A mere denial does not exonerate someone from an allegation no matter how strong it is - Joe Ghartey.
Mahama Ayariga insisted he never dealt with Joe Osei during the bribe payment - Joe Ghartey.
Muntaka also maintained he never gave any money to influence approval decision - Joe Ghartey.
The committee is unanimous that there is no evidence the Boakye Agyarko gave money to Joe Osei Owusu to bribe MPs - Joe Ghartey.
Mahama Ayariga charged with contempt and asked to apologise to those defamed - Joe Ghartey.
In summary, Ayariga failed to provide evidence to support his allegation.

Confusion in Parliament

Meanwhile, there was a near brawl in parliament on Thursday after Mahama Ayariga failed to render a sincere apology to the house.

Some Members of Parliament (MPs) from both sides moved to the centre of the chamber trying to punch their colleagues for their disagreements.

But it took the intervention of some colleague MPs to separate the two sides from attacking each other.

They threw out words at one another and making some gestures.

After several protestations, unhappy Ayariga who appears to be dissatisfied with the Committee's work said that "Mr. Speaker if you say I should apologise, I apologise."