M&J scandal: Gov't should aid CHRAJ with needed resources

The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) has called on government to provide the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) with all resources needed to investigate the Mabey & Johnson bribery scandal. The coalition, in a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Mrs Florence F. Dennis, stated its satisfaction with government for referring the case to CHRAJ for investigation. The statement noted that government by doing this has demonstrated its “faith and confidence” in the commission as a constitutionally mandated body to fight corruption. “The handing over of this case to CHRAJ, a member of the Coalition, is a litmus test for the Commission which was set up under the Constitution to among other things investigate all instances of alleged or suspected corruption and the misappropriation of public monies by officials and to take appropriate steps including reports to the Attorney General and the Auditor General resulting from such investigations,” the statement said. According to the statement, the GACC is confident that CHRAJ has the track record and goodwill to investigate the allegations in a transparent manner. The Coalition also appealed to all relevant British Institutions, the public, especially public servants, politicians and the media to cooperate with CHRAJ to make its work easier. Investigations into the Mabey & Johnson(M&J) bribery scandal follows a ruling by a London court that cited some Ghanaian ministers, including, Dr Sipah-Yankey, Alhaji Amadu Seidu, Baba Kamara and Boniface Saddique as having taken bribes in the 1990s from officials of a UK construction firm, Mabey and Johnson. Meanwhile, CHRAJ’s Commissioner, Emile Short has promised that his outfit will demonstrate independence and neutrality in the investigation of the Mabey and Johnson (M&J) bribery scandal. He has, however, pointed out that the commission commenced its own investigations into the case before the President called on the them to initiate investigations into the matter. By: Dorcas Efe Mensah/myjoyonline/Ghana