The Parliamentary Service has denied claims that the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has requested that $50,000 be sent from Ghana to him in Dubai, where he is seeking medical treatment.

In a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Kate Addo, the Parliamentary Service said the speaker cannot make such a request since he has no power under the law to do so.

It further said as the legislature, it does not intend in any way to engage in any profligate expenditure given the current challenges in the country and that Mr. Bagbin, being fully aware of the country’s situation, has always prioritised the national interest above his personal interest.

Several news reports, including one by the Daily Guide newspaper earlier this week, alleged that the Speaker had made a $50,000 request as an addition to some $120,000 already given to him and a team of four for the trip.

“With the latest request, Mr. Bagbin would have blown $170,000 on this current trip. Information gleaned from the corridors of Parliament indicates that this is not the first time the Speaker is making such a request for extra money. According to a source, in July last year, when the Speaker made his first official trip to Dubai for his medical care, he went with a spending money of $150,000, after which he demanded an additional $100,000, but Parliament was able to raise $90,000, bringing the total to $240,000,” excerpts of the report claimed.

But the Parliamentary Service has rubbished the claims and asked that it should be treated with contempt.

“We would like to state categorically that the Rt. Hon. Speaker has not, at any point in time, made direct cash requests from Parliament.”

“The current Speaker has no authority and has not made any attempt to in any way amend or alter what has been in existence before he came into office. Parliament is fully aware of the dire times we are in as a country and is mindful to avoid any profligate spending,” the statement said.

Read the full statement below: