Source: Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Austin Brako-Powers | Email: Austin.powers@myjoyonline.com
Anti-corruption campaigners have slammed President John Dramani Mahama over what they say is his blatant disregard for anti-corruption guidelines in the country.
According to them, by receiving a vehicle worth 100, 000 dollars from a contractor, President Mahama has not only breached the provisions of the 1992 Constitution but also the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) guidelines on conflict of interest by public servants.
Government functionaries had, initially, declined to comment on findings of Joy news’ Manasseh Awuni Azure investigation into the nature of a relationship between an Ouagadougou-based contractor, Djibril Kanazoe and the Ghanaian President.
However, after revelations that the contractor offered a Ford Expedition to the president gained momentum with Ghanaians questioning the integrity of President Mahama, the government reacted.
A statement signed by the Communications Minister, Dr Omane Boamah said the vehicle has been added to the pool of vehicles at the Presidency.
Joynews investigations revealed President Mahama was given the brand new Ford Expedition in 2012 by the Burkinabe contractor, Kanazoe, who described Mahama as his friend.
Kanazoe happened to be the contractor behind the construction of the controversial $650, 000 Ghana Embassy Wall in the Burkina Faso capital, Ouagadougou, which was flagged by the Auditor-General.
It was also revealed that the contractor is the same person who won the bid to construct the recently commissioned Dodo-Pepeso section of the Eastern Corridor Road. Joynews checks revealed that he was the only African who received a portion of the expensive road project.
There are moves to award him an 82 million cedis contract through sole sourcing.
Reacting to the issue on Joynews, Dean of the Central University School of Law, Professor Ken Attafuah said the conduct of President Mahama, if proven, can be said to have clearly violated the constitution.
“This is a clear breach of the provision of our law,” he said, adding “Article 284 of the Constitution provide that a public officer which the President is shall not put himself in a position where his personal interest conflicts or it’s likely to conflict with the performance of the functions of his office.”
Commenting on the issue, Executive secretary at the Ghana Integrity Initiative, Linda Ofori Kwafo, admitted the President has clearly breached the anti-corruption law and guidelines in the country.
She explained “The CHRAJ Conflict of Interest Guidelines came into being in 2006 and the issue of gifts is very similar to that in the Public Office Conduct,” and that “It is very worrying to hear public officials defend this.”
Governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for North Dayi, George Loh has, however, described the gift as “nothing,” saying “It is not like a personal gift given to the president.”
But some New Patriotic Party (NPP) minority Members of Parliament have called on the President to resign.
They are considering initiating impeachment proceedings against him.
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