The Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga last Friday said on Accra-based Radio Gold that the Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko sent money to the minority side in an attempt to influence their decision on his approval after he was vetted for the position.

READ ALSO: Mahama Ayariga dares critics to go to court

The NDC Member of Parliament said they (the minority) received the money thinking it was sitting allowance for being part of the Appointments Committee only to be told it was coming from the minister designate.

He said they rejected the money and asked that the money be returned to him.

The Appointments Committee Chairman, Joe Osei Owusu and the Energy Minister have since denied the claims, but Mr Ayariga has insisted that money did exchange hands.

READ ALSO: Parliament denies Mahama Ayariga bribery allegation

When Pulse.com.gh hit the streets of Accra to find out the views of the general public, many felt the issue was a serious one which needed thorough investigation.

Others, however, felt the case is not surprising, as corruption is already known to be Ghana’s major headache.

“If it’s true that Boakye Agyarko has given a bribe, then I’m not surprised. Ghana has already been engulfed in corruption from all sectors; now it is parliament. So Nana Addo, my plea is that you should kindly look onto the issue. If you have to ask him to step aside, please do,” Asante, a taxi driver at East Legon, Accra told Pulse.com.gh in his native Twi language.

His colleague at the taxi rank expressed similar sentiments.

“The bribery issue is really dicey. How can our leaders take bribes, when we the younger ones are supposed to learn from them. We are pleading with the president to intervene because the issue of corruption has become so unbearable for this country. It dents the image of the country,” Yaw said in a sad tone.

For Kwesi, Boakye Agyarko should be made to step aside until investigations were over.

“Since Nana Addo is known for being against corruption, it would have been ideal for him if he had held on to Mr Agyarko’s appointment pending further investigation,” he said in his native language.

READ ALSO: Speaker warns MPs to remain silent on bribery allegation case

Cynthia, an attendant at one of the shops in East Legon, American House, however, feels Agyarko is only being framed.

“I know Agyarko and I know Agyarko will never do that. Agyarko will never bribe anyone to get a post or something. Maybe it will be a frame that they are framing him. You know when someone wants your downfall, he will say everything possible just to get what they want,” she stressed.

READ ALSO: Joe Ghartey chairs parliamentary committee to probe bribery allegations

Meanwhile, the Speaker of Parliament Mike Ocquaye has constituted a five-member committee to investigate the corruption allegation.

The committee will be chaired by former attorney general and MP for Essikado-Ketan, Joe Ghartey, and has 30 days within which to present its report. The four other members are MPs Ben Abdallah Banda (Offinso South), Ama Pomaah Boateng (Juabeng), Magnus Kofi Amoateng (Yilo Krobo) and Benson Tongo Baba (Talensi).

Note: Names of respondents were made up for the purpose of the article.