Barton-Odro must be forced to resign — PPP
The Progressive People’s Party (PPP) has asked President John Dramani Mahama to retrieve Woyome’s money and prosecute collaborators.
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In a statement, the party congratulated the Chief Justice, Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood, and the 11-member panel “on saving Ghana from the mortification created by Alfred Agbesi Woyome.”
The statement signed by Mr kofi Asamoah Siaw, National Secretary of the PPP, said the ruling delivered by the learned men and women on the bench gives credence to Article 1 (1) of the 1992 Constitution that states “The Sovereignty of Ghana resides in the people of Ghana in whose name and for whose welfare the powers of government are to be exercised in the manner and within the limits laid down in this Constitution.”
The PPP also congratulated Mr Martin Lamisi Amidu for protecting the interest of the State and even pursuing this matter at the peril of his job and life.
“Mr Amidu has demonstrated that it only takes a spirited individual to make a difference in our society and in our body politic,” the party stated.
According to the court, Mr Woyome got the money out of void and unconstitutional contracts between the State and Waterville Holdings Limited in 2006 for the construction of stadia for the CAN 2008.
“As a political party, we are at a loss as to how the claim started in the first place, what efforts were made to establish the legality of the claim, who gave approval for payment to be made, how was settlement negotiated and finally which laws were followed in discharging such official responsibilities?
“We are demanding investigation and prosecution of those whose actions led to the payment of the money to Woyome. The PPP wishes to categorically reiterate that being in government is not for one’s self-interest and the abuse of power. It is solely about dedicated service to God and country,” the party stressed.
According to the party, what Mr Martin Amidu had done brings to the fore, the sense of urgency required to establish an independent prosecutor’s office separate from the Ministry of Justice.
“We want a separation of the Attorney General’s Department from the Ministry of Justice to make the Attorney General completely independent of the Executive, to ensure accountability from elected dictatorship in the body politic of the country. We further demand this separation so that corrupt officials would not acquire political party cards as an insurance cover against prosecution,” the PPP stated.
Moreover, the party called on the Honourable Member of Parliament for Cape Coast North and First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Barton Odro, to resign immediately and never return to public service.
It will be recalled that Hon. Barton Odro played a very significant role in the unwarranted judgement debt payments.
We believe that his resignation would restore dignity to Parliament, especially to the position of Deputy Speaker”, the party stressed.
The statement also said the PPP campaigned on the platform of incorruptible leadership and “we wish to hold Mr Barton Odro to this principle. We cannot continue to glorify persons whose actions or omissions have injured the State by giving them additional responsibilities especially in positions where they are expected to hold government or the Executive accountable,” it concluded.