After Mabey & Johnson: So who is clean?

Many Ghanaians have accumulated huge fortunes that way and been regarded pillars of society. But where is the line drawn and who draws it as it crosses into the realms of corruption? The second term of the Kufuor Administration was bedeviled by accusations of corruption. These were tried in the media, the several courts of public opinion and even the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). President Kufuor and his Administration had to defend his son’s investment in a hotel business. This was compounded by the sideshow of a woman named Gizelle Yadzi, who at one time seemed like she could bring down the government if she released some “info” she claimed she had on the president personally and the hotel in general. It was lapped up and taken up as a cause célèbre by the then opposition NDC. Gizelle Yadzi was held up as a hero by activists of the NDC who planned to facilitate her passage to Ghana to reveal it all! And then as if that was not enough, Dr. Richard Anane, Minister for Roads and Highways, one of the trusted lieutenants of President Kufuor was caught in a dalliance with an American female consultant who had come to Ghana to consult on matters dealing with HIV/AIDS. Was there any conflict of interest there? Did he have a child with her or not? Where did he get the money to be remitting her for the child’s upkeep? Did the money come from official sources? As a doctor, shouldn’t he have known better and used a condom? Debate raged as to whether he should resign or not. He never offered to and President Kufuor never asked him to. Later, he had to concede to CHRAJ findings and resign, but he went to court on a technicality regarding the constitutional competence of CHRAJ to “try” him. He won… At the next opportunity, President Kufuor re-nominated him to become minister once again, at the same ministry. By the time these cases were over, sleaze, or corruption, had been smeared all over the government. Though President Kufuor was absolved by CHRAJ and Dr. Richard Anane won a technical victory at the Supreme Court, the perception of corruption had stuck and to a large extent contributed to the party’s unimpressive showing at the December 2008 elections… It was exploited ad infinitum, ad nauseam by NDC founder Jerry Rawlings who would at every turn of phrase describe the NPP and President Kufuor as corrupt. The most noxious of these accusations was when he stood on a political platform and called President Kufuor “Ataa Ayi” – an armed robber. Though Presidential Candidate Professor John Evans Atta Mills was not as foul mouthed, he took up the refrain of corruption in his campaign and rode into the Ghanaian Presidency, after the 2008 elections had given him a narrow victory over his main rival Nana Akufo-Addo, on a blemish-free charger of probity and accountability, with the promise not to spare any corrupt official of the government he had taken over from or his own appointees and officials who would cross the line. One of the first executive actions he took, therefore, on becoming president, was a house cleaning exercise: He set up a presidential commission to probe the Ghana @ 50 celebrations. It is still ongoing…Other probes have sprung up with the promise of more to come. Seen variously as witch hunting or vendetta by those at the receiving end, the President has stood his ground, insisting that it is holding public servants accountable to the people and nothing else… But barely ten months into his administration, and as if to mock him or test him, the tables have turned and he has to confront a major sleaze involving members of his government, with some holding top cabinet positions. But in fairness to the president, the case predates his presidency, but engulfs a predecessor of his and party founder: Flt. Lt. J.J. Rawlings. The Mabey and Johnson case is now the talk of town and needs no embellishment here. How to handle this case is the dilemma facing President Mills and the gripping drama, whose denouement Ghanaians eagerly await. Party founder Jerry Rawlings has immediately jumped in, issuing statements, as though he is the supervising president of President Mills; statements, whose import is to absolve Rawlings, while at the same time putting pressure on President Mills, as though the sleaze happened on the watch of this president and not on the watch of Rawlings. In his rush to stampede President Mills, Rawlings gives the game away, by playing the NDC/NPP political card and gives credence to the witch hunt and vendetta perception. He said in his statement: “Since coming to power in 2009, we have failed to pursue and prosecute the criminal activities of the past NPP government who in connivance with foreign partners have stolen millions of dollars and accepted huge bribes…” Harsh words, those, but in the face of the Mabey and Johnson scandal, make all Ghanaians culpable and pave the way for opening up the debate as to who is clean in Ghana, including past heads of state and how they got the resources to pursue their lifestyles in and out of office. It would be an exercise in enlightenment and catharsis and since Rawlings and Kufuor are the two living past heads of state, perhaps, they can be used to start this process…Rawlings and Kufuor must step forward and be peer reviewed: No holds barred. Accra Mail

Ato Kwamena Dadzie: Mabey & Johnson - NDC’s porous defence

What does the NDC and its national chairman take Ghanaians for? That’s the question I’ve been asking myself after reading the party’s statement in response to allegations that some of its most senior members took bribes from UK construction firm, Mabey and Johnson. That statement signed by the party chairman, Dr. Kwabena Adjei, is very insulting – to say the least – and it only goes to show that the party is really hard-pressed to give the named officials a whitewash. “For the record, the NDC wishes to categorically state that it has never received funds from Mabey and Johnson Company,” the statement said. “Records available to the party do not reveal receipts of any such funds from the said company or its agents.” When did politicians start offering receipts for bribes they’ve taken? “Here’s your receipt, Mr. Mabey. Thanks for your custom. Say ‘hi’ to Mr. Johnson... and hey, come back with more, eh?” Alternatively... “Hullo, I Mabey and standing right next to me is my partner, Johnson. We are calling about the bribes we gave three of your members two weeks ago. Our auditors are in and they are asking for the receipts. Can you prepare some for us, please?” Who does that? No one takes receipts for bribes. We understand the NDC badly needs a whitewash – for itself and for its named members. But this is not how to go about it. The party’s assertion that Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings was never a member of the NDC finance committee and that Baba Kamara was a deputy treasurer and not the treasurer are well noted. But they are of little relevance here. In any case, no one has said that monies were paid directly to the NDC. The fact is that leading members of the NDC are alleged to have taken bribes to influence the award of contracts to the British company. Some of these monies undoubtedly went into the coffers of the NDC. And we don’t expect receipts to be issued for such payments into NDC coffers. The NDC (and no political party for that matter) writes receipts for ‘donations’ – euphemism for ‘bribes’ – they receive from all sorts of organisations and individuals. Otherwise, will Rawlings be kind enough to show us the duplicates of the receipts he gave to those who paid for his children’s school fees abroad? Credit: Ato Kwamena Dadzie (www.atokd.com)

Re: Ato Kwamena Dadzie: Mabey & Johnson - NDC’s porous defence

Upon reading the article published on 01/10/09 by www.myjoyonline.com and authored by Ato Kwamena Dadzie under the caption, “Ato Kwamena Dadzie: Mabey & Johnson - NDC’s porous defence”, I have found it imperative to issue a rejoinder on the subject matter so as to correct the fallacious assertions and to put issues in the proper perspective. See article here Considering the background of the author and his nebulous appreciation of issues (independent of the facts), unsavoury comments and his relentless hobby of destroying the hard earned reputation of noble statesmen, I am not surprised that he decided to spin and put a narrowed interpretation to the subject matter. In Ato’s release with respect to the NDC’S statement in response to allegations that some of its most senior members took bribes from UK construction firm, Mabey and Johnson, he described the statement as “very insulting – to say the least”. In his article, Ato quoted from the NDC press statement which read that, “For the record, the NDC wishes to categorically state that it has never received funds from Mabey and Johnson Company, records available to the party do not reveal receipts of any such funds from the said company or its agents”. In his attempt to make a futile sense out of the NDC statement, he trivialised the issues being raised and asked a rhetorical question that, “When did politicians start offering receipts for bribes they’ve taken? Who does that? No one takes receipts for bribes.” Upon reading through his article, I am left with no other option than to conclude that Ato is either being mischievous or just ignorant. As a matter of fact, the NDC as an entity is an interested party in the suit involving M&J since their corporate integrity had been brought to question and the outcome of the case suggests that its agents received bribe for and on behalf of the NDC. In the eyes of the law, Bribery is giving, receiving, offering, or soliciting anything of value in order to influence a person in the imperfect performance of their duties. Bribery if proven, amounts to a breach of fiduciary duty (which occurs when a person who is under an obligation to exercise his or her discretion and expertise in the best interest of another party betrays that trust and confidence by doing something that is not in the best interest of that party) and can be considered as a felony crime. This therefore means that the persons so found to have been involved in bribery can be sued for damages in a civil court. It is also significant to note that if there is a giver, then there must be a receiver and in any legal procedure, the burden of proof lies on the one who is alleging bribery (he who alleges must proof). The onus also lies on the purported recipient(s) to prove that, the evidence being tendered in as the evidence of bribe cannot pass the litmus test of a bribe. This therefore means that in the case herein discussed, M&J had to prove beyond every reasonable doubt that whichever transactions they had with the individuals so mentioned, constitutes a bribe. Ato, in his article asked that “when did politicians start offering receipts for bribes they’ve taken? Who does that? No one takes receipts for bribes.” To rationalize his averment that no one takes receipts for bribes, he implicitly concluded that there was indeed a clear case of bribery for which the NDC was trying desperately to ‘whitewash’ the names and ‘questionable credibility’ of the NDC and its’ mentioned agents. This position is unsustainable and flawed on grounds that if truly, no one takes receipts for a bribe and that there couldn’t have been a receipt for the bribe, then the question is, how did the Southwark Crown Court prove beyond every reasonable doubt that the supposed transactions (if any) could amount to bribery? Is Ato aware that if indeed, the purported bribery transaction was disbursed through cheques, then the cheque/ stub/ payment voucher, herein is a source document like any other receipt in a financial statement and for that matter can be used as evidence and ascertained in a court of competent jurisdiction? It is also instructive to note that, a thorough study of the prosecution statement shows that, it was the view of the UK-SFO that the purported commission paid by M&J (refer to paragraph 108 of the prosecution statement as displayed on the official website (www.sfo.gov.uk) of the Prosecutors in the matter) to the Government of Ghana was rather a bribe and not a commission. The Southwark Crown Court also in the true spirit of Principle of Natural Justice had an unconditional duty to hear from all interested parties and pass a verdict based on the merit of the case. The court in doing so needed to create a distinction between a gift/ donation and a bribe and in furtherance to that establish in unambiguous terms that the intention for the transaction constitutes bribery or a donation. In the substantive matter before us, M&J alleged that the disbursement of the bribe was through the issuance of cheques. If this assertion is true, then in the accounting books of both M&J, the NDC and all those mentioned, the cheque (with counterfoils) is the source document (a proof of transaction), hence making the allegation verifiable. It is also instructive to note that, in accounting, there is golden rule for making entries in financial books which states that, you debit the books of the receiver and credit the giver. This therefore means that if the NDC categorically states in their release that the records available to the party do not reveal receipts of funds from the M&J or its agents, then a challenge is thrown to anyone who is making a case of bribery against them. And if the disbursement was through cheque(s), then it should be captured in the credit side of their books and corroborated from the banks mentioned. This is the more reason why all interested parties were supposed to have been invited to state their defence, witnesses, and ascertained the veracity or otherwise of the bribery allegation. The action of the Southwark Crown Court to pass judgement on the matter of bribery without the participation of all interested parties (NDC, it’s agents, etc.), especially when their defence or rebuttal was not heard, ascertained and authenticated or otherwise, have not been proven in the court of competent jurisdiction, then this is tantamount to an act of arbitrariness which militates against the PRINCIPLE OF NATURAL JUSTICE and its component of “Audi alter am partem” (opportunity to be represented directly or indirectly through a counsel in a case in which you are an interested party). This is a complete travesty of justice and a sad commentary on the Justice system. Anyone with effective analytical capabilities can logically conclude that the diction and tone of the prosecution statement suggests that the prosecution was too emotional and malicious. Isn’t it also strange to note that those officials will receive bribes through cheques when they knew that could easily be verified and validated. What on earth prevented the Southwark Crown Court from inviting our purported corrupt Government officials to act as witnesses or defendants? As it is now, it is the word of M&J and the UK-SFO against the named officials. He who seeks equity must come with clean hands and may we not be bamboozled into the callous scheme of our colonial masters who have from time immemorial shown disrespect to our political leaders. If they were not up to mischief, why then did they hide the identity of their own and publicly crucified our leaders? Perhaps ‘Director A; Director B; Director C; Director D; and Director E’ are minors and that is why their identity had been concealed. The factual inaccuracies in the prosecution statement (which ultimately influenced judgement) to a very large extent raises questions about due diligence. The sages have said in Latin that, “Natura non facit , nec lex supervacuum”- meaning, “nature makes no vacuum and the law, nothing purposeless”. By this principle, every legal process must clear the mirky waters of every controversy beyond every reasonable doubt and that all the principles and procedures of a justice system must be upheld. To borrow the words of Justice Kpegah during the case of Agbevor vs A-G in the year 2000 (SCGLR 403), in which he opined that “Justice must be done even if the heavens fall...”, I must state that this travesty of justice must be resisted and contested. “Justice should not only be done but manifestly and undoubtedly seen to be done”, these were the words of Lord Hewart (C.J) in the Republic vs. Susse Justices (1924). And by these words, may we be cautioned by precedence and let posterity guide us in our pronouncements and actions as we seek fair and true justice. In as much as we have the right to expression, Ato must come to the realisation that, his right to expression must not be libellous and that in a civilised society such as ours we can only consolidate our democracy when we stick to civility, professional ethics, dignity, social values, etc. Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes once remarked that, “My freedom to swing my arm stops where the other man’s nose begins”. Because humans are social beings, our freedom of action must have limits if the freedom of all is to be preserved. Let us not use the advantaged platforms at our disposal in the media to cast insinuation, defame, malign, fuel conflict, propagate vile propaganda, etc. Thank you. By Justice Kutsienyo Email: Shevrock23@yahoo.com

Mabey and Johnson: UK SFO has ulterior motives- Ametor Quame

A sympathizer of the ruling National Democratic Congress, and Features Editor of the Palaver Newspaper, Ametor Quame has impugned the integrity of the Serious Fraud Office in UK in the bribery scandal that has rocked the country. On Friday, September 24, 2009, the Southwark Crown Court in London presided over by Geoffrey Rivlin, found officials of Mabey and Johnson, a UK construction firm guilty of corrupting government officials in African countries, including Ghana during the late 1980’s to the 90s, in contravention of UK laws. Some government officials under the Rawlings-led government were cited for collecting huge sums of money in bribes in order to facilitate the award of contracts to Mabey & Johnson. This Ametor Quame insists is part of a grand scheme by the UK investigative department to smear African leaders and label them as corrupt officials. “Without any hesitation I can tell you the SFO UK has an ulterior motive to smear as many people in this government as possible…it is for the British SFO to establish that Africans including their head of state are corrupt. That none of them will be a person that can stand up and be counted.” The NDC activist argued on Joy FM’s news analysis programme News File on Saturday. He was even more embittered over the mentioning of the former first Lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings and the former Finance Minister, Kwame Peprah, when no solid allegations of bribery were leveled against them. He argued the case in contention was a criminal offence, and that by publicly mentioning their names imputes motives of criminality to them. But another panelist on the show Kweku Baako in a rebuttal said the mentioning of those names did not in itself implicate anybody. He argued such persons due to their influence and power may only have acted as facilitators adding, after thorough investigations the truth might be out. Malik Baako further ridiculed the NDC statement which sought to exonerate the party of the alleged bribery scandal. Describing it as "comic relief" the avowed critic of the NDC said he nearly collapsed after reading the content of the statement. He called for a bipartisan approach in dealing with issues of bribery by multinationals that have conducted business in the country, adding attempts to cover up will be counter productive. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana

Patapaa will lead you nowhere – CJ counsels new lawyers

Mrs Georgina Wood, the Chief Justice The Chief Justice, Mrs Theodora Georgina Wood, Friday admonished newly enrolled lawyers to be guided by virtues such as integrity, industry, candour, accountability, honour, dignity, civility if they want to make any meaningful impact in their careers. They must also have “respect for both members of the bench and bar, court officials and court users; indeed anybody who, from the biblical standpoint of the Good Samaritan story, is your neighbour.” The Chief Justice was speaking at the enrolment of 130 newly qualified lawyers at the Ghana School of Law in Accra, attended also by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mrs Betty Mould Iddrisu, Justices of the Superior Courts, Members of the General Legal Council, families and friends of the new lawyers. Mrs Clara Kowlaga Kasser-Tee was adjudged the overall best student. Among the group was Miss Amina Agyemang-Rawlings, daughter of the former first couple of Ghana, Jerry and Nana Konadu Rawlings. In counseling the new lawyers off the path of unruly behaviour in the pursuit of the noble profession, the Chief Justice said the country’s “principally adversarial system of litigation, has unfortunately led some to believe that refined manners, the use of decorous and temperate language is a mark of weakness whereas arrogance, aggressiveness, and other forms of obnoxious behaviour including scurrilous attacks on judges, is a sign of strength. “That clearly is a fallacy and I sincerely hope that you will make a conscious effort never to tread those paths.” Mrs Theodora Wood reminded them that there are sanctions for objectionable behaviour, including contempt citations and having their names struck off the roll. “For this reason also, as members of a noble profession corruption should not be named among you. I will be expecting that you will help the judiciary keep the streams of justice pure.” She told the new lawyers to also be mindful that wherever they may find themselves in employment, they occupy a unique place in society, and will therefore, always come under close public scrutiny. They therefore have a duty to treat all persons with who they come into contact with decency. Shedding light on this year's admission to the Professional Law Course at the Ghana School of Law which has generated some controversy, she said owing to the large numbers applying to be enrolled on the Law Course in the face of limited facilities such as classroom, ICT, library and staff at the School, it was not possible to admit all the over 450 applicants. “The Council had to adopt a quota system of admission for the various categories of applicants as an interim emergency measure. Steps are, however, being taken to address the problem through the establishment of Law School campuses at the Law faculties; and ultimately, the construction of a six-storey classroom lecture theatre complex to accommodate the increasing number of students. In this connection, the Faculties are urged to build the necessary human and logistical capacities for the smooth implementation of the programme,” adding that plans for the construction of a six-storey complex for the Law School are far advanced. Read the full address by the Chief Justice at this link. Story by Isaac Yeboah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana Below also is the full list of newly enrolled lawyers A section of the newly enrolled lawyers, smiling in the middle is Amina Agyemang-Rawlings, daughter of former president Rawlings 1. Fiifi Abbam 2. Sheikh-Arif Abdullah 3. Kwabena Oteng Acheampong 4. George Kingsley Acquah 5. Samuel Boadi Adarkwah 6. Lizzy-Pearl Addison (Mrs) 7. Alma Oforiwa Adinku (Miss) 8. Alexander Adjei 9. Yvonne Dzifa Ewurama Adjimah (Miss) 10. Samuel Boahen Adu 11. Yaw Aduboffour 12. David Agbeviade-Koko 13. Eric Aguda 14. Adusa-Nana Akua Agyemang (Miss) 15. Amina Agyemang-Rawlings (Miss) 16. Isaac Aidoo 17. Edith Abiodun Akiwumi (Miss) 18. Rainer Akumperigya 19. Hilda Akuoko (Miss) 20. Hamza Alhassan 21. Eric Delanyo Alifo 22. Mohammed Ibn Nurudeen Alidu 23. Raphael Aopaari Alijina 24. Marjorie Jessica Allotey (Mrs) 25. Emma Akua Amankwa (Mrs) 26. Naa Amerley Amarquaye (Miss) 27. Amartei Amarteifio 28. Lucille Danielle Amoako 29. Nana Tabia Amoakohene 30. Yaa Dankwa Ampadu-Sackey 31. Yaw Awua Amponsah 32. Thomas Amponsah-Donkor (Rev.) 33. Augusta Andrews (Miss) 34. Leslie Joseph Anim 35. Sarah Norkor Anku (Mrs) 36. James Kwasi Annor-Hene (Rev. Fr.) 37 Ellen Okye (Miss) . ~ 38. Doreen Adoma Antwi (Miss) 39. Kwame Antwi-Afriyie 40. Kwaku Yeboah Appiah 41. Moses Asampoa 42. Jeanette Ami Esinam Awadzi (Miss) 43. Nelson Atanga Ayamdoo 44. Stephen Azantinlow 45. Bernice Bainge (Mrs) 46. Sophia Bankah (Mrs) 47. Cyracus Badinye Bapuuroh 48. Seidu Bawumia 49. Malcolm Ewoenam Bedzrah 50. Frederick Kofi Blagodzi 51. George Kwasi Boadu 52. Augustine Boakye-Mensah 53. Patrick Yaw Boamah 54. Fred Boaten 55. Naa-Amerley Bortei-Doku (Mrs) 56. Esther Akosua Buah 57. Amanda Mary Akuokor Clinton (Miss) 58. Kwesi Onuma Coleman 59. Edward Sam Crabbe 60. Joyce Buerkuor Debrah (Mrs) 61. Paul Dekyi 62. Lucy Diawuo (Miss) 63. Kwaasi Djin 64. Regina Djokoto (Miss) 65. Natasha Maureen Donkor (Miss) 66. Raymond Dornyoh 67. Fatou Lili Drammeh 68. Solomon Faakye 69. Emefa Abra Gbesemete (Miss) 70. Jane Akyempon Halm-Quagrainie (Mrs) 71. Elizabeth Temitope Hassan (Miss) 72. Matilda Idun-Donkor (Miss) 73. Enid Korkor Kanor (Miss) 74. Clara Kowlaga Kasser-Tee (Mrs) 75. Kwesi Kell-Delataa 76. Stephen Kwasi Kesse 77. Eric Koranteng 78. William Kotei Kotey 79. Joseph Dindiok Kpemka 80. Theresa Talata Kunlie (Miss) 81. Francisca Kusi-Appiah (Miss) 82. Mavis Ekua Enyamah Kwainoe (Miss) 83. Seyywoe Kwakuvi-Zagbedeh 84. Michael Fianko Larbi 85. Barbara Martinson (Miss) 86. Cynthia Matey (Miss) 87. Anthony Mensah 88. Emma Nancy Mullen-Essien (Miss) 89. Serina Pamela Nantogmah (Miss) 90. Mary Adjeley Nartey (Mrs) 91. Vladimir Akpaasim Ndebugre 92. Ama Dzifa Norman (Mrs) 93. Felicia Sarku Nettey (Miss) 94. Gyebi Nana Okosu Ntem-Mensah 95. Longinus Chinedu Nwaehie 96. Francis Kwabena Nyarko 97. Paul Oduro 98. Dido Asantewa Ofei-Kwatia (Miss) 99. Gloria Ofori (Miss) 100. Kwame Ohemeng-Mensah 101. Samuel Ohene-Ayisi 102. Isaac Ashong Okai 103. Paulo Adjei Okpoti 104. Nana Tawiah Okyir 105. Jeremiah Nii-Amaa Ollenu 106. Kwasi Opoku 107. Ekow Orleans-Lindsay 108. Charles Nana Yaw Osei 109. Michelle Azara Osman (Miss) 110. Frank Kwadwo Otoo 111. Robert Dowuona Owoo 112. Alexander Oworae 113. Kofi Ansah Owusu 114. Nana Kwasi Owusu-Poku 115. David Kwasi Dartey Owusu-Yianoma 116. Nora Owusu-Yianoma (Mrs) 117. Cecilia Animah Peprah 118. Dulcie Delasi Esi Quist (Miss) 119. Richmond Numbo Saaka 120. Nana Sakyiwa (Miss) 121. Naana Nsafoah Sarpong (Miss) 122. Valerie Lily Akorfa Senavor (Miss) 123. George Bernard Shaw 124. Stephanie Ahyemah Siaw 125. Bertha Frances Smith (Ms) 126. Hawanatu Sawaneh Tejan-Sie (Ms) 127. Cecilia Nana Ama Boatemaa Tufuor (Miss) 128. Nancynetta Twumasi-Mensah (Miss) 129. Johnnie Torgbui Yaw Vifah 130. Kwami Augustus Williams

Appiah Menka chides Harona Esseku

Appiah Minka The call by the Former NPP National Chairman, Haruna Esseku on Alan Kyeremanteng to defer his presidential ambitions until the year 2020 elections has attracted sharp criticisms and chastisements from the rank and file of the New Patriotic Party. The former NPP chairman, in an interview with Citi FM on Tuesday September 29, called on Alan Kyeremanteng to discard his Presidential ambitions for 2012 and focus on the 2020 elections since he (Alan) does not have what it takes to lead the NPP to Victory in the 2012 elections. He therefore suggested that the former aspirant, who gave the party’s 2008 presidential candidate, Nana Akufo Addo a run for his money, rather freezes his ambitions for eight more years. This incurred the wrath of some NPP leaders in the Ashanti Region who have demanded that the leadership of the party dissociate itself from the comments within a week and demand a retraction from the former National Chairman. The latest to speak on Mr. Esseku’s comment is Mr. Kwame Appiah Menka, a Founding Father of the NPP who also serves as the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the party’s council of elders. Mr. Menka says Haruna Esseku’s suggestion is constitutionally flawed. He told Citi News in an interview that although Haruna Esseku has the liberty to express his views, he does not have the right to infringe on anybody’s constitutional mandate in the party. “…nobody can disenfranchise anybody. By the constitution of the party nobody can ask Nana Akuffo Addo or Alan to step down.” He said. Mr. Menka however noted that the council of elders may intervene to convince any of the 2012 presidential aspirants to step down in favour of others; should that be deemed necessary for the party’s interest. To buttress his point, Mr. Appiah Menka disclosed that Capt. (rtd) Nkrabea Effah Dartey, in 2007, had to give up his presidential ambition upon his (Appiah Menka’s) intervention. “…we as council of elders, in the interest of the party and without endangering anybody’s democratic right, can do things behind closed doors to solve political issues.” He said Source: Citifmonline.com

Kweku Baako lambasts Rawlings, Mills over Mabey and Johnson

...He charges Ghanaians not to turn hypocrisy into virtue

Turn not hypocrisy into virtue-Kweku Baako Editor-In-Chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, Malik Kweku Baako Jnr has taken a swipe at former President Rawlings for failing to investigate “hints” of bribery attributed to UK construction firm Mabel & Johnson when he (Rawlings) was in power. According to him, Mr. Rawlings’ call on the Atta Mills government to expedite investigations into allegations of bribery against past and serving officials of the NDC government only smacks of double standards, charging Ghanaians “not to turn hypocrisy into virtue.” Speaking on Joy FM’s news analysis programme News File, on Saturday, Mr Baako cited a 1994 British audit report into activities of Mabel &Johnson, in Ghana and other African countries in which revelations of bribery were made. Quoting sections of the report, Mr. Baako said a contract sum worth £37million awarded to Mabel & Johnson by the Ghana Highway Authority was over priced for up to 34%. He said copies of this damning audit report ‘pregnant’ with these bribery allegations were made to the then government of Ghana under the able leadership of president Rawlings in 1999. He found it difficult to understand why the ex-president who rode on the back of probity and accountability, as a result of which some past military heads of state were executed and some jailed, did not investigate these allegations of bribery against his own ministers. He expressed surprise that leading members of the NDC pretend that revelations of bribery by Mabel & Johnson could only be traced to the 24th September, 2009 ruling by the UK court in which some leading members of the party were mentioned. But a panel member and a sympathizer of the NDC, Ametor Quame argued ex-president could and should not be held responsible for the failure to prosecute. He argued most of these shortcomings are attributable to “systemic failures” adding, “these kinds of documents does not sometimes get to the president and vice president.” Some officials he said could have gotten the information and kept quite. In any case, the NPP government had eight years to investigate and prosecute these allegations but failed, he sniped. Mr. James Agalga who is also a member of the NDC and a panel member, was happy with the swift action taken by President Mills to get to the bottom of the allegations. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana

Rawlings the 'Holier Than Thou' Exposed

By Akua Bonsu

Rawlings a corrupt fellow not fit to lead Ghana?

Nothing new can come into your life without gratitude. - By: The secret More Quotes | Submit a Quote

We've all seen it before. The preacher stands in the pulpit every Sunday preaching about how sinful it is to commit adultery. His wife sits at a pivotal spot among the congregation feeling lucky because all the other women have problems; their husbands are cheating on them and there does not appear to be much they can do because they have resigned themselves to the fact that “all men are dogs.” All except the preacher – her husband. The preacher's wife becomes an object of jealousy. Many of the other women in the congregation have each wondered at one time or another why they could not get a Man of God to marry. But then a scandal breaks. Chatters begin to circulate that the preacher may not be the saint he claims to be.

It begins with that single woman who comes to church and not say a word to anyone. She becomes mysterious to everyone – except the preacher, but no one knows that. Rumors have persisted but without any proof, the preacher has been able to deny all accusations hurling accusations of his own that the “devil among us” is trying to sow seeds of discord. Soon the young woman becomes pregnant, has the baby, and DNA proves that there is a 99.99 percent chance that the preacher is the father. All of a sudden the demeanor of the preacher's has gone from confidence to nervousness. Each time her husband mentions the word “adultery” she flinches. Before long, the whole community gets to find out the baby belongs to the preacher. And just as everyone though it couldn't be any worse, another shoe drops. This time it is another man's wife. Sounds juicy?

Well, welcome to a church called Ghana.

Former president Jerry John Rawlings has made it his singular mission to label everyone in the New Patriotic Party corrupt or a thief. Give him a microphone to talk about the Black Stars qualifying for the second straight World Cup, and Jerry will find a way to steer the conversation to corruption. President Obama has chosen Ghana for his first sub-Saharan African visit. What do you think of that Jerry? Oh NPP's corrupt practices made that possible. Jerry, given that we are a university no one knows about, we don't know any better so we will honor you with an award for democracy. What do you have to say? Well, but for NPP's corrupt ways, I could have received this a long time ago.

And for a long time, the electorate believed it. Meanwhile the members of the NPP who ushered in the longest sustained economic growth, the most dramatic decline in inflation, interest and unemployment rates in Ghana's history were all tagged with the corruption label because they failed to respond to the lies believing that Ghanaians knew better. No sooner had Ghanaians voted the NPP out of power did they realize what they have in fact done.

No sooner had the NDC ministers settled in their respective offices did they begin to share amongst themselves tractors meant for farmers. NDC minister Mubarak goes on a spending spree with his girlfriend using government's money. NDC operatives spend $1 million on Chichinga. The NDC loudmouth from Central Region Ama Bayiwa Doe has apparently won a lottery because she is rebuilding her whole house. Their silent operative Tsatsu Tsikata registers a company in the U. S. Virgin Islands with branch offices in Houston and London and positions it as the exclusive lifter of Ghana's oil. All these major league corruption cases or evidence thereof in less than six months in office unfortunately only amounts to the “pregnancy” because the baby is still yet to be born.

For the baby to be born and a DNA test ran, or the proof to become apparent, it would take Ghana's Attorney General to actually investigate all the above crime and prosecute the culprits. That is where the problem begins. After all, this is the same Attorney General who would have someone arrested for complaining about NDC's atrocities. But when a wanted murderer is found under the bed of an NDC minister, no charges are brought to that minister.

Apparently, when they were teaching “Obstruction of Justice” at Law School, she did not attend classes that day. When a deputy minister calls for a 'Jihad' on the NPP over an election whose results are a forgone conclusion, and proceeds to deploy state security resources on innocent civilians, no charges are filed against him. When a sitting Member of Parliament shoots and kills a member of the opposing party with all eye witnesses swearing he was unprovoked, no charges are brought to that MP. Thus asking her to investigate corruption in her own party is like asking her to fly without wings – it's just not going to happen.

Little did Rawlings' NDC know that the pregnancy occurred 15 years ago when ministers in the preacher's – I mean Rawlings' administration were busy collecting bribes from a British company so that they would look the other way when the bridges that were contracted to that company were not even built. A direct accusation was leveled against Rawlings himself for accepting bribes but he claimed he has no money to hire a lawyer to defend himself. For a president who had previously not worked an innocent job in his life, and who had to steal airplane seats to use as chairs at his own home, he send all his children to Ireland for schooling after decimating the Ghana education system.

Mabey and Johnson, the company who were contracted to build bridges between 1994 and 2000, admitted to paying bribes to the following people, and was consequently found guilty beyond any reasonable doubt in a British court of law, or shall we say the DNA results came in positive:

• Dr. George Sipah-Yankey (Minister of Health, NDC) £15,000

• Dr. Ato Quarshie (ex-Minister of Roads and Highways, NDC) £55,000

• Kwame Peprah-&nb sp; SSNIT Board Chairman and former Minister of Finance

• Saddique Bonniface (ex desk officer ministry of Finance) £10,000 + £13,970 + £2,500 + £500 (school fees) = 26, 970 pound sterling

• Amadu Seidu (Minister of State at the Castle, NDC) £10,000

• Edward Lord-Attivor (Chairman inter-city transport) £10,000

• Edward Attipoe - £10,000

• Danny Ofori-Atta also known as Kwame Ofori (EGLE/NDC ) -The 'agent'

• Baba Kamara (aka I. B. Ibraimah), (High Commissioner designate to Nigeria and a former deputy National Treasurer of the NDC) – 'Agent' £750,000 dubbed the "Ghana Development Fund" ("GDF").

• Total = 880, 000 pound sterling ( Exchange rate @ 1.50 ) US$ 1.32m

• Former President Rawlings has claimed all along that her children's tuition costs were borne by “friends.” Now we know who those friends are.

This is the same Rawlings who lined up former heads of states and executed them for corruption. Even the very person who bent the rules for Rawlings to pass his Air Force exams after three unsuccessful tries, Air Force Marshall Yaw Boakye was executed for borrowing $1500 (not taking bribes) from the bank.

When this news broke, the first thing that went through my mind was “what would Rawlings say now?” I did not have to wait very long for my answer. He had plenty to say. He had the nerve to accuse President Mills for not investigating those implicated in the bribery case quickly enough. He had the nerve to accuse the NPP for being a corrupt party while campaigning on a platform at Chereponi. Does he have any shame?

Look, I am not ashamed to say that I voted for the NDC in 2004. Like many Ghanaians, I was fooled. The NPP makes it very easy to criticize them because they don't say anything. What they do know how to do is flaunt their wealth. So for a moment, I felt as though there may be merits to the accusations leveled at them by yours truly. But I have had time to reflect upon many things including the fact that almost every single one of these so called arrogant NPP members lived like that well before they came into government.

So if we Ghanaians are going to vote people out because they are arrogant, but bring in people who will kill you for opposing them, then what kind of people are we? If we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit that the Ghana of freedom of speech and of expression that president Kufuor left us barely ten months ago has very quickly been replaced with a country where armed robbers seem to attack only those who criticize the government. I don't know about you but as far as I am concerned, this CANNOT continue.

Source: Akua Bonsu

Mabey & Johnson: Statement By NPP Ireland & UK

We in NPP UK and Irelandand many of our concerned citizens in UK have been watching brief on the bribery matter that involved the whole NDC government machinery between 1993 and 2001 here in UK and in Ghana. On Friday, 25 September 2009, the British company involved, Mabey & Johnson Ltd, appeared atSouthwark Crown Court, London for sentencing in relation to the admitted offences of overseas corruption and breaching UN sanctions. The company was ordered to pay £6.6M. This is the first prosecution brought in the UK against a company for these offences.

Background
M & J, is a privately owned by a family company based in Twyford, Berkshire UK andfounded in 1922. It is an engineering company, supplying steel bridges all over the world, largely in the developing world. M & J had already indicated at a magistrates' court hearing on 10 July 2009 that it would plead guilty to these offences.

Corruption
The prosecution for corruption arises from the company's voluntary disclosure to the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) of evidence to indicate that the company had sought to influence decision-makers in public contracts in Jamaica and Ghanabetween 1993 and 2001. The decision to voluntarily disclose the corruption offences to the SFO was taken by the management of Mabey & Johnson's holding company in February 2008 whereupon an investigation was opened.

M&J and the bribery in Ghana

M & J conducted business in Ghana over a number of decades. John Hardy QC, stated in the Prosecution opening statement that Mr. Kwame Ofori, aka Danny Ofori Atta was influential with the ruling party, NDC in Ghana. In March/April 1996, he attended the offices of M & J in Twyford and complained that the M & J's office in Ghana was not distributing funds appropriately. Mr. Ofori stated that the situation had been deteriorating even more since a certain manager had arrived. The reality was that Mr Ofori was no longer any good and someone else had to be a conduit.Kwame Peprah, the then acting Minister of Finance and Chairman of the NDC Finance Committee was the new conduit. Baba Kamara, Treasurer and Minister of Roads and Highways, helped facilitate the contract. Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, wife of the then president of Ghana was a member of the NDC Finance Committee.Obed Asamoah was also a member and an influential person to know.

Summary of payments:

Dr. Attoh Quarshie (former Roads Minister) - £55,000 ($88,000)

Saddique Bonniface (then a student at Exeter University in UKreceived £500 ($800) as his educational expenses) but this is unclear as there is another paper trail of bribes leading to a Boniface Snr. It is unclear who Boniface Snr. was and whether it was the same Boniface who received further monies.

Amadu Seidu (former Deputy Roads Minister) - £10,000 ($16,000)

Edward Lord-Attivor (Chairman Inter-City Transport Corporation) - £10,000 ($16000)

Dr George Sipah-Yankey (current Health Minister) - £15,000 ($24000)

Dr. Attoh Quarshie, the then Minister of Roads and Highways received a cheque in the sum of £55,000 for "Contract Consultancy". Instructions were received to enable Dr. Quarshie to immediately cash that cheque. The prosecution reiterated how much money laundering was going on under then NDC regime. The court stated that Amadu Seidu received £5,000 - it was paid to an account in Guernsey. Boniface received transfers from M & J to an account in Barclays Bank, Watford. It was a feature of the NDC officials, the court was told, to travel to the UK and open bank accounts in London, Watford, Channel Islands, Guernsey, etc. The officials received kick backs (bribes) which were disguised as commissions/consultancies. They paid 10 to 15% of contract value. They inflated the contract price to allow for payment of 'commission'. The Company, M & J did not lose anything. They did not lose any profit.

As a result of theses bribes, M & J were paid £1.3 million ($2.08m) for Tano Bridge and £4 million ($6.4m) for the Priority Bridge Programme in 1994 and £10 million ($16m) for the feeder roads they constructed up to 1998. The contract values exceeded the sums set out in those contracts. Payments received in theGhana contracts were valued at £26 million ($41.6m). These bribes went on until the general election of 2000.

There was a paper trail of highly incriminating evidence where between 1994 and 1999, direct payments were made to Politicians and Civil Servants of Ghana. Government officials and individual politicians were paid bribes to the whacking tune of £470,792.62 ($753,267.20)

Sentence
Ghana is to receive £750,000 ($1.2m) with reparations of£658,000 ($1.05m) and confiscation order of£1.1million ($1.6m)

It is therefore up to us as a country to pursue the outcomes of this matter - the financial loses that we have incurred as against the corrupt financial gains the individuals and the government of the NDC made from mid-1980s till they were thrown out by the people of Ghana for a better government.

We call on the current NDC government of Ghana whose corrupt predecessors benefited from this to come forward to collect the reparation money and fines totaling over £1.4 million. The representative of the Ghana High Commission, Mr. Quansah, who described himself as the Acting High Commissioner in the court came unprepared and without any clear instructions from President Atta Mills or his appointed representative, Dr. Dodoo (whom the SFO have been dealing with). The Judge commented several times that if the Ghana Government was unable or unwilling to accept the reparation, then the money should be sent back to the SFO (within 28 days) and perhaps used for the purposes of Overseas Aid. The specific details were not revealed.

Demands

We in NPP UK and Ireland on behalf of all concerned Ghanaian citizens in Ghana and all over the world call on the government ofGhana

1. to instruct the Attorney-General to immediately secure a copy of the Judgement from Southwark Crown Courtand question those individuals named in the Court's Judgement immediately without delay.
2. to set up an independent Commission of Enquiry to commence an investigation of the individuals and businesses M&J in Ghana who profited or benefited from the bribes. They should refund the money or their assets confiscated and for criminal charges/penalties for causing financial loss to the state be brought against them IMMEDIATELY.
3. ALTERNATIVELY, Parliament should be recalled immediately and the whole committee of it or the Constitutional Select Committee of Parliament call the Attorney General to immediately institute the necessary investigation as directed by the President and call the A-G to the floor of Parliament to answer questions about Mabey and Johnson.
4. to ensure that the reparation money be used for a worthwhile project in Ghana that will touch on the lives and benefit the ordinary people in health and education under the supervision of an independent body to be set up by Parliament. This should be monitored clearly by the citizenry. to see to it that government officials involved in the matter resign IMMEDIATELY pending investigation into the matter;
5. We urge the President of Ghana to condemn such behaviour by government officials and let the whole nation know where he as a person and his government stand on the matter;
6. We believe that former President Rawlings, who is always preaching accountability, must himself state clearly to the nation what he knew and what his role in the matter was, including his failure to stop the corrupt officials that he appointed.
7. We also believe that the NPP as the main party in opposition owe it to the people of Ghana to mount pressure on the government to follow up with the recommendations in this statement and the many that other Ghanaians may have suggested. We should not let this matter go away quietly and pressure must be mounted on the President to sack his officials who were involved in this scandal. The National Executives of the NPP should therefore immediately petition the Govt. to institute the necessary investigation into the matter.

We also call on the media, the fourth estate of the Republic to continue to highlight the hypocrisy of the NDC government, former president Rawlings under whose watch this massive scandal of international dimension took place and to ensure that politicians are never again allowed to use our goodwill to align their own pockets.

We further call on all Anti-corruption NGOs, Christian Council, Religious organizations to raise their voices in protest against the NDC Corruption in this matter. Public Demonstrations should be waged as soon as possible in protests demanding immediate firing/dismissal of all those named who are currently in government. eg. Sipa Yankey, Kwame Peprah, Attoh Quarshie, etc.

Media Group

NPP UK & Ireland