Mpiani "disappointed" as Ghana@50 commission defers hearing

Former Chief of Staff, Kwadwo Mpiani Former Chief of Staff in the erstwhile Kufuor administration, Kwadwo Mpianim, has expressed disappointment at the failure of the commission reviewing the Ghana@50 celebrations to hear his testimony. Mr Mpiani was scheduled to present his testimony to the commission today Tuesday as the chairman of the National Planning Committee of the Ghana@50 Secretariat, but the hearing could not come off because one of the commissioners was not present. The commissioner, Osei Tutu Prempeh, is reported to have been caught up in a “domestic emergency.” Speaking to Joy News after the deferment, media liaison for the commission, Ato Kobby, said the hearing was postponed because the commissioners present did not form a quorum. Mr Kobby indicated that although the commission had suggested hearing be deferred till Tuesday, counsel for Mr Mpiani, Mr Egbert Faibille, objected and eventually hearing had to be postponed to Friday. Speaking shortly after the deferment, Mr Mpiani said he was “prepared to help the commission do its work” dismissing suggestions that the postponement would give him enough time to prepare. “I am prepared to meet the commission. I came here fully prepared to meet the commission,” he told Joy News’ Sammy Darko. The appearance of the former Chief of Staff comes after the hearing of the Chief Executive of the defunct secretariat took his turn last week. Dr Wereko-Brobby answered questions on various issues bordering on the secretariat and the celebration of Ghana’s 50th birthday. Mr Mpiani’s appearance has however generated a lot of interest as he was the main figure in the management of the affairs of the Ghana@50 secretariat. Meanwhile the commission has hinted it would soon issue letters inviting former District Chief Executives (DCEs) and other persons implicated in the testimonies of earlier witnesses. Several DCEs and regional ministers were cited in the testimonies of earlier witnesses as taking certain unilateral decisions. Mr Kobby said the commission would be doing “internal work” while it awaits its public sitting on Friday.