Let’s be fair – Joe-Wise challenges media over bribery accusations

Bekwai MP Joseph Osei-Owusu has called out journalists for what he describes as hypocrisy in the debate over financial facilitation in Parliament.

Affectionately called Joe Wise, the veteran politician questioned why the media would criticize parliamentary processes when they, too, often request logistical support for their work.

“You media men ask people and agencies that invite you to do their work to facilitate your work all the time, don’t you? Do you call that bribery?” he asked pointedly during an interview on Joy FM monitored by MyNewsGh.

His comments come amid discussions about how Parliament secures funds for its operations, particularly in cases where budget allocations are delayed.

According to Joe-Wise, public institutions, including Parliament, frequently struggle to receive their full budgets on time, which sometimes necessitates alternative means of financing.

“If anybody follows the budget process, they will see that at times, only 40% of our budget is released, and the rest—particularly for administrative purposes—remains unpaid,” he explained.

He argued that facilitating the work of Parliament was no different from the way journalists and other professionals seek support to perform their duties. “I was head of D and I know how much it costs us to get publications done. Is that bribery? Please, let’s be fair,” he added.

Joe-Wise maintained that those who have never worked in public service may misunderstand these financial arrangements, but they are standard practice.

“For people who have not worked in public service, I can appreciate their misunderstanding, but for those who have, they know exactly what this means,” he asserted.

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