Betty Mould resigned because of poor handling of the Woyome scandal-Ayariga

Deputy Education Minister Mahama Ayariga says his former boss, Mrs Betty Mould Iddrisu resigned from her post because the incessant discussions on the the controversial Woyome judgement debt payment had become an unbearable distraction.

He said the former Attorney-General who authorised the payments to Mr Woyome having entered into an agreement on the basis of which the NDC financier procured the judgement culminating in the payment of GHS58 million to him became very concerned about the tone of the discussions.

Mr Ayariga told Joy News that while the Minority New Patriotic Party was bent on keeping the discussion going unabated and sought to impugn Mrs Iddrisu’s integrity and impute some culpability to her, the government did not appear to have a concerted defence to the NPP’s attacks.

Former Education Minister Betty Mould Iddrissu had been under pressure from sections of the public to explain her decision to resign following her decision to quit government on Monday.

Several civil society organizations as wells as the opposition NPP have been demanding reasons for the former minister’s action.

In an apparent response to the demands, Mrs. Mould Iddrisu mandated her former deputy; Mahama Ayariga to speak for her.

He told Joy News’ Seth Kwame Boateng that Mrs. Mould-Iddrisu hopes that the investigations being conducted by Economic and Organised Crimes Office will uncover the truth and exonerate her.

Meanwhile, former Supreme Court judge, Justice Francis Kpega does not think the former education minister owes the public any explanation of her action.

According to him, if there are any explanations to provide at all, it must be only to the president and not the public.

In a related development, the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition says it has followed with concern the unfolding controversies and confusion related to the Woyome Judgment Debt Case.

It said the the confusion has been worsened by events leading to the dismissal of the now former Attorney General, Mr Martin Amidu.

The coalition, in a statement issued to the media, said “In the light of these recent events, we strongly urge the President and Government to take a second look at the processes initiated to investigate the actions of public officials leading to the payment of various sums of money to Mr. Alfred Agbesi Woyome.”