CDD, SEND-GHANA, others call for speedy and transparent investigation into corruption allegations

In a statement released on Friday, June 2, 2017, the group expressed disappointment in the manner in which corruption allegations have been handled by politicians in the past few weeks and urged the first gentleman of the land to expedite action in dealing with the claims.

“We call on the government and respective anti-corruption agencies as well as relevant state investigative bodies to thoroughly get to the bottom of these matters, apply the rule of law in the investigative process and deal with the matters as the laws of the country demand. The Consortium and collaborators are aware of the frantic effort of government to establish the Office of the Special Prosecutor to deal with corruption, however in the interim the Attorney General should be prompted by H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to look into these matters quickly and transparently,” portions of the release read.

Find below the full statement

The Consortium, comprising Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), SEND-Ghana and the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) in collaboration with the Citizens’ Movement against Corruption (CMaC) and the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) wish to encourage H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to remember his promise to protect the public purse and uphold all the laws of Ghana, which includes Article 35(8) “The State shall take steps to eradicate corrupt practices…”. In line with this, the aforementioned organizations wish to call on government to expeditiously and transparently address the various corruption allegations that have made the news since 15th of May, 2017.

These allegations include:

1. Reported $1.5m corruption scandal involving two former officials of the National Communication Authority (Mr. Eugene Baffoe-Bonnie, a. former Board Chairman and Mr. William Tevie, a former Chief Executive Officer); the former Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Osman; and a private businessman, Mr. George Oppong. The allegation which was first reported by the Daily Guide in its May 15th 2017 edition stated that, the Public Officials mentioned above are said to have allegedly withdrawn and appropriated for themselves, $1.5million meant for the suppliers of a phone tapping equipment. Subsequently, the Minister for Information on 24th May, 2017 was heard on Joy FM, confirming the allegations. Latest information, including statements of denials from the persons alleged to have been questioned by the BNI, appears to have created confusion in the minds of the public as to what exactly happened.

2. A corruption allegation relating to the former Chief Executive of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Mr. George Crentsil, who is said to have pocketed an amount of $1.2 million (approximately GH¢5 million) supposedly received as kickback from a construction firm.

3. Reported corruption scandal involving 15 senior officers of the customs division of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). The Daily Graphic on 29th May 2017 reported that they were recently arrested for their involvement in the loss of GHC 1.2 billion in revenue.

Ever since these corruption allegations came to the public notice, there has been the usual politicking between the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). While the government is claiming that its fight against public sector corruption is yielding results, the NDC is accusing the government of witch-hunting former appointees. Accordingly, the GII Consortium and its collaborators call on government to make the investigations speedy and transparent to clear every doubt and confusion the various media reports and follow-up denials may have created in the minds of Ghanaians.

We call on the government and respective anti-corruption agencies as well as relevant state investigative bodies to thoroughly get to the bottom of these matters, apply the rule of law in the investigative process and deal with the matters as the laws of the country demand.

The Consortium and collaborators are aware of the frantic effort of government to establish the Office of the Special Prosecutor to deal with corruption, however in the interim the Attorney General should be prompted by H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to look into these matters quickly and transparently.

Such speedy and rule of law approach will contribute to restoring public confidence in the government and the ability of institutions of state to fight corruption and protect the public purse.

SIGNED:

Mrs. Linda Ofori-Kwafo Executive Director GII

Dr. Franklin Oduro Deputy Director/Head of Research and Programs CDD-Ghana

Mr. George Osei-Bimpeh Country Director SEND-GHANA

Mr. Edem Senanu Co-Chairperson CMaC

Mrs. Beauty Emefa Narteh Executive Secretary GACC