Ashanti NDC youth petition CHRAJ to investigate $2.25bn bond issued by govt
The Ashanti Regional Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress' (NDC), Mr Yaw Brogya Gyamfi, has petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to conduct investigations into the $2.25 billion bond issued by the government.
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In his petition, he mentioned that the Finance Minister, Mr Ken Ofori Atta, “has attempted to promote a private or personal interest for himself or for some family members and business associates, and the promotion of the private interest has resulted in, or was intended to result in, or appears to have resulted in, or has the potential to result in an interference with the objective exercise of his duties and an improper benefit or an advantage by virtue of his position.”
He has also demanded a number of questions be answered, including “Was a substantial portion of the bond purchased by Franklin Templeton Investments. If so, how much?; Is Trevor G. Trefgarne a Director of Franklin Templeton Investments? Is Trevor G. Trefgarne the Chairman/Director of Enterprise Group Ltd?; and Are Dr Mrs Angela Ofori-Atta, Mr Keli Gadzekpo, Hon. Gloria Akuffo and Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta Directors of the Board of Enterprise Group Ltd?
If not, he further asked, “Were they Directors of the Board in the immediate past? Does Databank Ltd own part of Enterprise Group Ltd or any of its affiliates? Does Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta have any shares or business interest in Databank Ltd; or did he have any shares or business interest in the immediate past?
Also in question was whether the Minister for Finance adhered to the 1992 Constitution, the Code of Conduct for Public Officers of Ghana, CHRAJ’s guidelines on conflict of interest for public officers, and other relevant rules and laws pertaining to conflict of interest and issues of corruption.
Should the Minister for Finance resign or be removed from office? Did the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice adhere to the 1992 Constitution, the Code of Conduct for Public Officers of Ghana, CHRAJ’s guidelines on conflict of interest for public officers, and other relevant rules and laws pertaining to conflict of interest and issues of corruption? Should the Attorney-General resign or be removed from office?
Government unshaken
Meanwhile, the Akufo-Addo government remains unflustered by the petition to CHRAJ to investigate the possible conflict of interest in the $2.25 billion bond issue.
In a Citi News interview, a Deputy Information Minister, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, insisted that the bond was issued in tandem with laid down procedures, hence the position of confidence from the government.
“As far as we are concerned, every appropriate rule has been followed. The right thing has been done at all steps and we are moving forward to deal with the other challenges we have inherited as a government, and also to fulfil the campaign promises we made to the people of Ghana,” Mr Oppong Nkrumah said.
He, however, said the petitioner, the Ashanti Regional Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Yaw Brogya Gyamfi, is only exercising a right he is entitled to “and I think we will all expect CHRAJ to do its work and put out its findings.”
CHRAJ will do its work and answer. We will not turn the tables and seek to litigate or seek to provide those answers out here. He has gone to the appropriate forum so let the appropriate forum do its work,” the minister said.
