AfDB DISOWNS MAHAMA OVER AMERI DEAL

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

The Norwegian newspaper that is tailing former President John Dramani Mahama over his supposed links with Africa Middle East Resources Investment Group LLC (AMERI) has indicated that the African Development Bank (AfDB) did not send Mr Mahama to Namibia as claimed by him.

According to the award-winning newspaper called VG, Mr. Mahama had visited Namibian President Hage Geingob in Windhoek and presented himself as an AfDB advocate for African energy self-sufficiency, but its investigation turned out that the continental bank does not have any hand in the former president’s visit where he took AMERI to the Southern African country.

The latest report was filed on VG’s website: www.vg.no by the newspaper's journalists - ROLF J. WIDERØE, AMUND BAKKE FOSS and SYNNØVE ÅSEBØ - on Sunday, November 12 at 20 hours GMT and updated yesterday at 12:19 pm.

Initial Response

According to VG - which has been investigating the AMERI/Mahama link over the past two years - it obtained information from AfDB’s office in Tunis, the Tunisian capital, indicating that the bank didn’t sanction Ghana’s ex-president’s visit to the Southern African country.

“For some time VG has been seeking to clarify Mahama’s role in the African Development Bank, as well as the bank’s role in Mahama’s Namibiam visit,” the private newspaper reported.

“At first Chawki Chahed, a communication officer at the bank, replied that Mahama had been named a ‘goodwill ambassador’ by the bank. But in a follow-up inquiry, when VG provided new information on Mahama’s unusual collaboration, the development bank backed away, claiming it had nothing to do with Mahama’s visit at all,” the newspaper said.

Further Probe

The paper stated, “This time it was the bank’s director of communication and external relations, Victor Oladokun, who replied.”

VG: What is the bank’s comment on these findings about Mr John Mahama ?

AfDB: Former President John Mahama does not represent the Bank, neither is the Bank involved in his business dealings. Once again, we categorically state that the African Development Bank has no knowledge of nor is it engaged in any transactions involving the parties you have indicated. None of the said transactions have been done in the name of the Bank.

VG: Why does the African Development Bank allow Mr Mahama – in his capacity as the bank’s goodwill ambassador – to work for such a company as AMERI Group/the private office of Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum?

Goodwill Ambassador

AfDB: The Bank does not have an official position or ‘Goodwill Ambassador’ title. Rather, we encourage leaders to use their goodwill to speak up for Africa’s accelerated development, whenever they have opportunities to do so. The African Development Bank does not know of and neither does it work with nor have any relationship with the group mentioned in your correspondence.

The newspaper had published on Saturday, “According to the Namibian authorities, it was Mahama who initiated the meeting and brought the two men from the controversial Dubai company to Namibia.”

VG: Can you guarantee that this is not corruption?

Oladokun (AfDB): The Bank has zero tolerance for corruption. Like all multilateral finance institutions, the African Development Bank takes a very strict stand on corruption at any and all levels. Through an integrity and anti-corruption department, the Bank imposes stiff penalties that debar any company engaged in corrupt practices from participating in any work with the Bank,”

Door Opener

According to the paper, “When former Ghanaian President John Mahama collaborated with the controversial AMERI Group in Namibia, he used the African Development Bank as a door opener. The influential bank now says it had nothing to do with the visit.

“John Mahama presented himself as a representative of the development bank when he travelled to Namibia with a tempting offer in July. The aim of the visit, he claimed, was to help companies from Dubai to gain a foothold in Namibia’s energy sector.

“The former president asserted that the African Development Bank had identified Namibia as one of five countries that could produce energy and export it to other African countries in the future,”

On Saturday, VG reported that the former president of Ghana had brought to the meeting in Namibia two men from a highly controversial company, the private office of Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum.

This company owns AMERI Group. Umar Farooq Zahoor, an Oslo man, accused of fraud, plays a key role in the company.

In 2015 AMERI Group signed a $520 million massive energy contract in Ghana while Mahama was president.

The contract has caused a political row in Ghana and has been described as fraudulent by a government-appointed committee because of overpricing to the tune of $150 million going to wrong hands.

The newspaper reported, “Neither Mr. Mahama nor AMERI Group has replied to VG's request for interviews about this topic.”

BOMBSHELL!!! MAHAMA FRONTS FOR AMERI IN NAMIBIA?

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Monday, November 13, 2017

A top Norwegian private newspaper VG, has claimed that former President John Dramani Mahama is fronting for the controversial Africa Middle East Resources Investment Group LLC (AMERI) in Namibia, although Mr. Mahama has denied the deal.

Mahama’s erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) government signed a $510 million deal with AMERI for the supply of 256 mw of electricity in 2015 in the heat of the energy crisis, but it turned out to be a rip-off, with Ghana losing about $150 million to the Dubai-based company.

It has since become a subject of heated debate as to whether or not the contract should be abrogated, and it heightened after Mahama’s government was voted out of office in December 2016 - when the deal was uncovered.

Mahama’s Refusal

According to the award-winning newspaper (VG), the former president had refused to confirm or deny his involvement or otherwise in AMERI in Namibia, which is believed to be owned by Sheikh Ahmed Bin Dalmouk al Maktoum of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

According to VG, it had followed the story for more than two years.

The report was posted on VG’s website: www.vg.no by the newspaper's journalists - ROLF J. WIDERØE, AMUND BAKKE FOSS and SYNNØVE ÅSEBØ - on Saturday, November 11, at 09:31 and updated at 15:33 on the same day.

According to the newspaper, former President Mahama travelled to Namibia in July with two representatives of the controversial AMERI Group to discuss energy opportunities.

Ghana Ripped-Off

In 2015, the newspaper revealed that Umar Farooq Zahoor, who is still wanted by Norwegian police for fraud, and a sheikh from Dubai had made an energy deal with the Ghanaian government that included an overcharge of the contract sum by $150 million.

“Today VG can reveal that the former Ghanaian president this July entered into a cooperative arrangement with the sheikh’s company. John Mahama brought the two men representing the sheikh to Namibia - seeking to clinch possible energy deals with yet another African nation: Namibia,” the paper stated.

According to VG, “This July, Mahama travelled to the Namibian capital, Windhoek, with employees of the ‘private office’ of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Dalmouk al Maktoum of Dubai, United Arab Emirates,” adding , “This company now owns the AMERI Group, also known as the Africa Middle East Resources Investment Group LLC.”

AfDB’s Advocate

It said, “According to Namibian officials, Mahama claimed he was in Windhoek as an advocate for the African Development Bank. At a news conference after Mahama’s meeting with Namibian President, Hage Geingob, the former Ghanaian leader appeared with two men professionally based in Dubai.

“Until now, it has not been officially known who these men were.  But VG can now reveal their identities: One was AMERI Group CEO, Maher Al Alili, who is also CEO of the sheikh’s private office. The other was Mustafa Ahmed, who left behind a business card in Namibia embossed with the logo of the sheikh’s office.

“They both work for the sheikh who signed the controversial AMERI deal together with Umar Farooq Zahoor, who is wanted internationally by Interpol.”

The paper recounted the Phillip Addison-led 17-member committee set up by the current Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko, to look into the AMERI deal.

Namibian Spokesperson’s Revelation

“In an interview with VG at the end of October, Albertous Aochamub, a spokesman for Namibia’s president, provided new and striking information:  Mahama himself set up the meeting in Namibia and arranged for the sheikh’s representatives to join him.

“A letter requesting an audience with the Namibian president was sent via the Namibian Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation from the office of former President Mahama, as is customary practice,” Aocham tells the Norwegian newspaper.

The two gentlemen were said to have been introduced by Mr John Mahama (as working for) the Private Office of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Dalmook al Maktoum. They were introduced as Mr Mustafa Ahmed and Mr Maher Al Alili. The names of the two gentlemen or the name of the company were not mentioned in the letter from former President Mahama.

“– Among his delegation were these two gentlemen, as well as the former High Commissioner of Ghana to Namibia, Alhaji A. R. Haruna Attah,” Aocham adds, then continues:

“– Mahama informed President Geingob that he was in Namibia in his capacity as an AfDB (African Development Bank) advocate for African self-sufficiency in energy and brought UAE representatives to Namibia after they identified the country as one of the most attractive destinations for electricity infrastructure investments.

“Since July there has been no further contact between the parties.

”One of the men, Mustafa Ahmed, denies to VG that he had a role in the Namibia visit.

“I do not work for his highnesses private office,” he says.

– So what happened in Namibia?

“I advise several groups, not just them,” he replies.

”Nothing happened in Namibia, so if you want to make a big story, that’s up to you?”

– But the sheikh’s logo and your number appear on the same business card. How do you explain that?

“I don’t know what you are talking about. I have nothing to hide. I know him. I have advised him and advised him, but I do not work for him. I do not have an official position with him,” insists Ahmed.

AMERI Lawsuit

A few days later, the company’s CEO, Maher Al Alili, contacted VG and threatened a lawsuit. In 2015 the company had threatened to sue VG for $150 million for its reporting on the controversial electrical power deal between Ghana and AMERI Group.

The company said VG had published false claims about Umar Farooq Zahoor, the man who signed the AMERI agreement and is still wanted internationally.

“Who gave you the right to write about Umar?” asked Al Alili, on telephone from Dubai.

“If there is anything wrong with the story, we have the option of suing you,” he says.

“The company does not want to be open with information or grant interviews with the media.”

Al Alili nevertheless confirmed that he was in Namibia working for the sheikh’s office.

He refused to comment on Mahama’s ties to the Dubai company.

“You’ll have to ask Mahama about that,” said Al Alili.

Mahama’s Aide

“For seven weeks VG has tried to make direct contact with Ghana’s former president in order to obtain comments. His special advisor, the lawyer Joyce Bawah-Mogtari, confirms that Mahama has received VG’s inquiry.

“Of course, Mr Mahama sees any request that arrives. I am telling you he is not available, and that I will get back to you if he becomes available,” the special advisor told VG in mid-October. VG’s many queries have not been well received by the ex-president’s inner circle.

“He has no obligation to give you an interview. You can’t force Mr Mahama to talk to you. Can you force the King of Norway to give you an interview?” she queried.

Umar Farooq

The Ameri Group has repeatedly denied that Umar Farooq Zahoor - the man who signed the controversial energy agreement with Ghana in 2015 - is wanted internationally by law enforcement authorities.

That is not the case.

“He is still wanted by the police internationally,” Norwegian district attorney, Carl Graff Hartmann, confirmed to VG.

“We have received a response from the United Arab Emirates stating they will not grant our request for the extradition of Umar Farooq Zahoor,” he continued.

That means the UAE has refused to turn over the internationally wanted man, who has a Pakistani passport, to Norway.

Zahoor himself has claimed he no longer works for AMERI Group, though VG has disclosed that he still plays a key role in the sheikh’s private office, which owns the company.

This was also confirmed by a PR officer at the sheikh's office.

“Yes, he is working there,” said Ahmed al Baloushi to VG.

In September, Zahoor travelled to Pakistan with Sheikh Ahmed Bin Dalmouk al Maktoum and CEO Maher Al Alili to further discuss yet another AMERI-related deal with Pakistani company, FWO.

DON’T ASSENT TO MAJOR MAHAMA’S TRUST FUND

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Monday, November 13, 2017

Two Ghanaian professors have kicked against an attempt by parliament to pass a bill in the name of Major Maxwell Mahama, the army officer who was brutally murdered at Denkyira-Obuasi (now New Obuasi), in the Central Region in May this year.

According to them, it will be prudent for the government to widen the scope of the bill for the benefit of all security personnel who died or were maimed in line of duty, and pointed out that the bill in its current form, discriminates against all other personnel who had suffered a similar fate.

In an article entitled, “The Major Mahama Trust Fund Bill is a Good Idea Gone Bad: Replace it with a General Law on Security Personnel Survivors’ Benefits,” Professors Stephen Kwaku Asare and Edward Ansah Akuffo, who are based in United States and Canada respectively, claimed, “The Major Mahama Bill flouts the principles of generality and non-discrimination and cannot withstand constitutional scrutiny.”

They maintained, “The recent gruesome murder of Major Mahama at Denkyira-Obuasi is an example of a security personnel paying the ultimate price while on duty,” and added, “The overwhelming public condemnation of the abominable act against the fine military officer and the public show of affection for his family demonstrate not only our rejection of mob justice, but also our appreciation for and commitment to those who safeguard our peace.

“Major Mahama lived to make a difference. He died protecting the environment from the ravages of galamseyers.”

Professors Kwaku Asare and Ansah Akuffo also said the deceased soldier’s posthumous promotion from the rank of Captain to Major “demonstrates leadership and responsible government in a democratic environment.”

In spite of the commendation, they insisted that the bill in its current form is targeting Major Mahama “and appears to ignore other security personnel we have lost in the past. It is a cardinal principle of the rule of law that laws must apply to broad categories of people and must not single out individuals or groups for special treatment.”

The professors listed other security personnel who were killed or maimed while serving the country and said they (personnel) equally deserve similar special treatment being given to Major Mahama.

In a letter which was directly an appeal to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Professors Kwaku Asare and Ansah Akuffo stated, “It is a tough call but my advice is that you should not give assent to the Major Mahama Trust Fund Bill. Rather, you should return it to parliament for it to be replaced by a comprehensive Bill that provides timely, predictable and easy-to-access benefits to the families of ALL SECURITY PERSONNEL who pay the ultimate price while serving the nation.”

They said, “The power of parliament to isolate people for rewards, punishment or different treatment is dangerous and must not be countenanced in this Republic. We must not traverse that path.

“Even though the Bill is well intentioned, it sets a very bad precedent; it treats equally situated persons differently; it creates bitterness for families in similar situations who are hardly recognized; and it affects the collective morale of service personnel,” they noted.

Professors Kwaku Asare and Ansah Akuffo underscored, “The Major Mahama Bill is problematic at several levels. First, it targets only the departed officer and his immediate family and ignores the other security personnel we have lost in the past. Second, the initiation and passage of the bill flout the principles of universalism and non-discrimination.

“Mr. President, seize this opportunity to reiterate your commitment to the rule of law, which requires that our laws conform to the generality principle and are not discriminatory.”

NDC ON FIRE OVER MAHAMA 2020 AGENDA

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Saturday, November 11, 2017

The decision by the 10 regional chairmen of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to visit former President John Dramani Mahama and persuade him to consider leading the party into the 2020 general elections has set the party on fire.

This is because supporters of the other stalwarts who are also nursing the ambition to become the NDC’s flag bearer for the 2020 elections have become incensed after the move by the 10 chairmen, in what has been termed ‘Cantonments Declaration.’

The 10 chairmen, under the direction of Kobina Ade Coker, Greater Accra Regional chairman, visited the Cantonments office of the former president and returned with an endorsement verdict similar to the ‘Swedru Declaration’ where the late Atta Mills was ‘anointed’ to lead the NDC.

The angry party people, including staunch supporters of John Mahama, are accusing the chairmen of breaking the rules of engagement thereby putting the party’s ‘unity’ agenda in jeopardy; and claimed further that they were paid hefty sums of money for making the declaration.

Financial Inducement

A supporter of Prof. Joshua Alabi - who has declared his intention to become NDC flag bearer - posted on social media platform (Facebook) that the chairmen were given GH¢100,000 each after the meeting with the former president.

DAILY GUIDE however, cannot authenticate the allegation that there was a financial inducement before the ‘Cantonments Declaration.’

The 10 chairmen threw their weight behind the ex-president last Thursday when they met him in Accra and said they wanted him to consider running again as the NDC presidential candidate for 2020.

Earlier, some NDC Members of Parliament (MPs) had trooped to the former president to pay homage with the same message.

Strangely, at the so-called ‘unity walk’ held in Cape Coast in the Central Region last Sunday, it was the same Mahama who admonished NDC members to be circumspect in their actions and added that he was not going to make a statement on whether he wants to come back to contest or not since that could disrupt the unity agenda the party had set out to push.

Defiant Group

However, barely a week after the ‘hijacking’ of the ‘unity walk’ in favour of Mr. Mahama, the NDC chairmen visited the former president, urging him to embark on a “Thank you” tour of the country, although belated, to thank party loyalists for their support during the December 2016 polls which they lost massively.

The regional chairmen, who had signed the communiqué were Kobina Ade-Coker, Greater Accra; Michael Aidoo, Western; Alhaji Mumuni Bolnaba, Upper East; John K. Gyapong, Volta; Opoku Atuahene, Brong-Ahafo; Matthew Song-Aabo, Upper West; Bismark Tawiah Boateng, Eastern and Yaw Obimpeh, Ashanti.

The others are Alhaji Sofo Azorka, Northern and Allotey Jacobs of the Central Region.

Uneasy Calm

The action of the chairmen has come at a time when there is ongoing ‘cold war’ over the preferential treatment being given to Mr. Mahama over the other aspirants in party activities.

The ‘dog fight’ appears to have been started after a former Consul General under the Mahama-led NDC government, Daniel Osei, criticized the way the organizers ‘skewed’ the whole programme in favour of the former president.

At the walk, it was only former President Mahama who was allowed to speak, although almost all his 2020 ‘contestants’ were present.

Bigger Disgrace

Those leading party members who are expressing concern have started condemning the chairmen for their action and said the unity agenda might not be fulfilled, if the situation in the party remained the same.

Nii Amasah Namoale, former MP for La-Dadekotopon, said it was clear the NDC bigwigs were bent on imposing the former president on the party but concluded that if that happened, a‘bigger disgrace’ was going to befall the party.

“I saw what happened in Cape Coast and I’ve seen that if we will go into this flagbearership thing with a divided front, those who are trying to impose a candidate on us will succeed,” he told Class FM’s Awudu Moro yesterday.

“So, it is their (chairmen’s) association; they have the democratic right but let me tell you something, Moro, there is a bigger disgrace waiting for us ahead. There is a bigger disgrace waiting for us!” adding, “If we are so impatient, we are so bent on taking the horse to the river and forcing the horse to drink water from the river. You cannot force the horse, but there is a way you can force the horse: throw the horse into the river, when it starts drowning it will drink the water.”

Misplaced Priority

Former MP for Ablekuma Central, Theophilus Tetteh Chaie, was also incensed by the action of the chairmen and said it was misplaced and in bad taste.

“We have regional chairmen whose conduct has made the party lose several seats in some of the regions. Greater Accra Region is part of it. Central Region is part of it,” he fumed on Joy FM, adding, “This is the time for the regional chairmen to sit down and assess what led to the defeat in these regions and help reorganize the regions.

“People should not behave as if they love the former president more than any member of the party. Let us restructure the party at the grassroots and then the people themselves will come out and choose their leader. What we are trying to do is we are trying to shut the door on others who have intentions to contest.”

Ensuing Backlash

In the ensuing backlash, Mr Kobina Ade Coker put up a spirited defence of his colleagues and said the communiqué they had issued was not an endorsement of the ex-president.

“The communiqué is explicit. I don’t know why we are making a hue and cry over this thing. People should read. We make Bawumia have some justification. People are not reading," he said cheekily.

FEC’s Statement

The Functional Executive Committee (FEC) of the NDC then waded into the issue - albeit in a hypocritical, fashion - reminding the members that “internal electoral processes that allow members to engage in campaign and other political activities had not yet been officially launched,” it reminded.

 “The FEC notes with extreme concern the tenor of some of these individuals in their public pronouncements. Equally, FEC notes with concern the conduct of some persons and groups affiliated to these aspirants at all levels,” the statement signed by the National Chairman, Kofi Portuphy, underscored.

“We have observed that some potential aspirants and their followers have resorted to insults, and vilification of potential contestants. This abuse takes place at times in a highly toxic manner on social media and sections of the media.

“The FEC wishes to remind potential hopefuls, aspirants and their affiliates as well as party followers that such acts constitute ‘anti-party conduct’ and at the same time destroy the cohesive unity of the party.

“Such conduct seriously undermines the painstaking efforts by the Council of Elders and the NEC to reorganise the party,” the statement added.

BLOWS OVER NDC UNITY WALK

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Friday, November 10, 2017

The hijacking of the so-called ‘unity walk’ of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Cape Coast in the Central Region last Sunday by members of the party supposedly loyal to former President John Mahama is causing uneasy calm in the opposition political grouping.

The ‘dog fight’ appears to have been started after a former Consul General under the Mahama-led NDC government, Daniel Osei, criticized the way the organizers ‘skewed’ the whole programme in favour of the former president.

Former President Mahama was the only speaker allowed after the walk, although almost all the other NDC gurus who have declared their intentions to lead the NDC in 2020 were present.

Currently on the various social media platforms, especially WhatsApp groups, some NDC members have taken entrenched positions and are defending or condemning the actions of the organizers of the walk - which the party claims is supposed to unite its rank and file ahead of the 2020 general elections after the massive defeat in 2016.

Genuine Concern

Mr Daniel Osei expressed concern about the way the ex-president is being given unfettered access to party activities at the expense of other activists who are all vying to lead the NDC in 2020, warning that the action would not promote the much needed unity.

“As platforms supporting JM (former President) share clips of him and enjoy chats relative to the walk and his speech, can you imagine how disgruntled the Friends of Spio (Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah) and other platforms are discussing matters relative to the treatment meted out to their candidate?” he observed.

“We lost 19 out of the 23 or so seats in the Central Region. Can we afford to lose any votes in the Central Region? Or is singing Mahama's praises enough to win us back all the seats and votes we lost in the region? It's time to challenge our thoughts and positions,” he charged.

Humble Question

The former envoy posited, “Of all the Mahama supporters, I ask humbly, how many of you see it as uniting to deny any of the aspirants a chance to speak yesterday and how many of those who saw it as inappropriate are willing to say anything to the president and his handlers? If any of you see it as problematic, you have a responsibility to at least share and discuss it and it may get someone's attention. It can only help. Silence is not a good option.”

He said, “I spoke to three of the aspirants yesterday and a couple of the organizers and a minister who was on stage. Every single one was disappointed. I asked them individually if anyone has made their disappointment known to the president and his team. Sadly, none has. Are we safe to navigate the rough road ahead of us?”

He queried: “Can we afford to enter the 2020 elections on the wings of sycophancy?” adding, “There must be a renewed sense of urgency in how we move forward.”

Sinare’s Reply

As the debate ensued, former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Saed Sinare, reportedly fired Mr Daniel Osei - who once contested and lost the Ashanti Akim North parliamentary primary of the NDC - for daring to question the party’s leadership over the special treatment for the ex-president during the walk.

“It's been pain-stricken to note that a comrade in the person of Hon Daniel Osei, the NDC's parliamentary candidate in the 2012 general elections and former Consul General at Ghana's mission in Dubai and indeed under my watch as the Ambassador in-charge of Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf Countries, would come out to make such damning remarks about the party's much touted UNITY WALKS,” Sinare, who has gone underground since his prediction of the NDC’s victory in 2016, allegedly stated.

“I would have thought that a man having a jolly decline in his political career but yet benefited from the benevolence of H. E. John Mahama, would have learnt some lessons going forward,” adding, “Losing your parliamentary primary to comrade Mary Awusi in the Asante Akyem North Constituency where you served as DCE before being appointed by the former president as Consul General to Dubai, couldn't have been the fault of anyone in the NDC.”

Attack Dogs

Mr Daniel Osei shot back quickly saying that anytime one talked about the former president, they sent their ‘attack dogs’ to devour the one.

“The MO has always been to send out the attack dogs and I expected nothing less. There shouldn't be any doubt the objective of their attack is to conjecture enough and obfuscate the critical issue of whether or not John Dramani Mahama is our best candidate and if forcing him on the party.

“It's all an attempt to cover up the fact; Mahama gave us the most emphatic and worst electoral defeat in the history of our nation.”

Worst Defeat

He said, “JM inherited a stronger party than what it is today. What happened? They want to change the subject. After delivering the worst electoral results in the history of our party, it makes little or no sense to return JM to lead us in 2020.”

Mr Daniel Osei further claimed, “As a fellow northerner, maybe Sinare should explain to all of us why and how Bawumia and the NPP successfully encroached on our votes in 2012 and took away seats from us and did it again and took away even more votes and seats in 2016 and how bringing back JM, the same man the North keeps rejecting, will improve our electoral fortunes in the north.

“Any thinking person can see electorally, the north has concluded; Mahama's values are not their values and has rejected his leadership.”

Chairmen

Interestingly, while there is dog fight over who leads the NDC, the 10 regional chairmen of the party appear to have thrown their weight behind the former president. 

After a meeting yesterday they issued a communiqué in which they urged the former president to consider running for the 2020 polls.

The brief statement did not give further details as to why they were making the call.

They also urged Mahama to embark on a “Thank you” tour of the country although belated, to thank party loyalists for their support during the December 2016 polls.

The chairmen, who signed the communiqué were Kobina Ade-Coker, Greater Accra; Micheal Aidoo, Western; Alhaji Mumuni Bolnaba, Upper East; John K. Gyapong, Volta; Opoku Atuahene, Brong Ahafo; Matthew Song-Aabo, Upper West; Bismark Tawiah Boateng, Eastern; and Yaw Obimpeh, Ashanti.

The others are Alhaji Sofo Azorka, Northern and Allotey Jacobs of the Central Region.

LET’S GO TO ANTOA – OHENE AGYEKUM CRIES

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Thursday, November 09 , 2017

Former Board Chairman of Ghana Cocoa Board (Cocobod), Daniel Ohene Agyekum, has thrown a challenge to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

He has dared the current administration to appear before Antoa, the dreaded river deity in the Ashanti Region, over issues emanating from the COCOBOD scandal involving the disappearance of $400 million from the company’s account.

Recent news has revealed the extent of alleged corruption and mismanagement at COCOBOD under the supervision of former Chief Executive, Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni and the direction of the board chaired by Ohene Agyekum, former Ambassador to the United Sates.

Corruption

The new COCOBOD CEO, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, threw a bombshell last week when he said apart from some $400 million which his administration suspects the Opuni-led management withdrew from the coffers of the company after the NDC had lost the election in 2016, he (Opuni and others) also spent a whopping GH¢8 million to build a guest house at Bole, the hometown of former President John Mahama in the Northern Region, for his (Mahama’s) comfort.

In the ensuing debate, Mr Ohene Agyekum, who is not new to using Antoa to establish his case, told Kasapa FM ‘s Akwasi Nsiah in Accra on Monday that the board he chaired followed due process in approving the renovation of the Ghana COCOBOD guest house at Bole, which has become the talk of town.

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) are currently probing the former COCOBOD officials over alleged corruption and face imminent prosecution.

Antoa Challenge

“If what I am saying is not true we should go and face Antoa,” he fumed, adding, “It is an old guest house and it is the policy of CRIG which is a subsidiary of Ghana COCOBOD, to renovate its guest houses from time to time.”

Mr Ohene Agyekum insisted, “The guest house project is not a new project. It has been in existence since 1975.”

He dared the NPP government to bring on the much-talked-about Special Prosecutor for him to face that office.

“They (NPP) say they are bringing the Special Prosecutor. I want to meet him in court asking me questions and when everything is done, Ghanaians will hear from me later,” he challenged.

According to the former COCOBOD chairman, the EOCO investigated his bank accounts but found nothing incriminating against him, although he claimed the anti-graft body was still harassing him.

Absolute Nonsense

He said he did not fear the Special Prosecutor because he had done nothing wrong as board chairman of Ghana COCOBOD and added, “What they are doing is absolute nonsense, lies and propaganda.”

Ohene Agyekum, former Ashanti Regional NDC chairman, said that the current COCOBOD administration was peddling falsehood against the immediate-past team to cover up its shortcomings.

“How can you say we stole money? This is blatant lie. As Chairman, where did I take the money to? I am waiting for EOCO to take me to court and Ghanaians will know about it. What needs to be investigated, they are not doing it and rather targeting innocent political opponents.”

$400 Million

Ohene Agyekum said, “I came to COCOBOD in 2014. The syndicated loan is not paid directly to COCOBOD. There is a Ghana Commercial Bank in London. That is where all the money is lodged and it is transferred to the Bank of Ghana for goodness sake!” he explained, adding, “When COCOBOD draws its budget, they don’t go to the ministry of finance. They seek approval from parliament and they go to borrow and based on the estimates that all the subsidiaries present to the board, they give approval.

“The head office has its share, CRIC, CMC, PBC, all have their share of the money. Nobody can take $1.8 billion to say he is going to save it in his personal account. The money is brought to the BoG so we draw on it not in dollar but in cedis.”

Opuni’s Salary

He said cheekily that the board was not ‘stupid’ to have given Dr. Opuni the staggering monthly salary that set tongues wagging sometime ago and added that the proposal from the ex-CEO was “not outrageous.”

 “We did a comparative analysis of other top state enterprises like BoG, GPHA, SSNIT, BOST and others and we came to the conclusion that Opuni’s proposal that came from management, he was not alone.

“The BoG and others that I mentioned, their Chief Executives were drawing higher salaries than Opuni had proposed to us. And in the comparative analysis we believed in all sincerity that the amount we were to pay him was justified.

“The CEO of Cocobod was managing almost about $2 billion project or industry. If it were any advanced country they will look at the quantum of money that you are managing to commensurate with your salary and when you incur debt you are sacked.”

He submitted his proposal, we investigated and came to the conclusion that there is nothing outrageous because COCOBOD contributes between 25 and 29% to the Ghanaian economy.

“When you came you said it was outrageous. Ask them if the current CEO has reduced his monthly salary. They are still enjoying from where Opuni left off,” Mr Agyekum posited.

Witch Hunting

Mr Ohene Agyekum claimed the NPP government was witch-hunting him, saying, “At COCOBOD, I am only a chairman like any other institution. This is the first time in the history of Ghana that a board chairman has been arraigned before the EOCO and charged with causing financial loss to the state.

“I am not a spending officer so I don’t authorize payments. I authorized the award of contracts. When it comes to payment it is management. Secondly, I am not a signatory to any of the board’s accounts so I don’t sign cheques. I am not a Chief Executive, so which money did I authorize to be paid which constitutes causing financial loss to the state?”

Regret

“I have regretted serving as board chairman of COCOBOD. I have served this country with a profound sense of integrity,” he lamented.

MAHAMA BOYS IN TROUBLE…FACE CORRUPTION TRIAL

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Wednesday, November 08, 2017

The effort to prosecute corrupt public officials, especially those who served under former President John Dramani Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, is gathering momentum.

Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia hinted on Monday that the processes that would lead to the prosecution of the corrupt appointees are getting closer.

Reacting to former President John Mahama’s jab that the National Digital Property Addressing System (NDPAS) is a ‘419’ scam, the vice president said on Monday that “Ghanaians will find out more soon as people are held legally accountable.

“With the record that former President Mahama has in the area of governance, it is incredible that he would have the effrontery to talk about ‘419 scams,’ he fired back after Mr. Mahama’s criticism at an NDC unity walk in Cape Coast, Central Region, last Sunday.

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia said unlike the Mahama administration which was neck-deep in corruption, the Akufo-Addo government is above board.

He said Ghanaians would soon get to know more about the corruption that took place under the Mahama administration when the appointees of the previous administration are lined up.

DAILY GUIDE has learnt that dockets for a number of cases have already been completed and only waiting for the Special Prosecutor to commence the prosecutions.

Special Prosecutor

The NPP government has done a lot of work to establish the Office of the Special Prosecutor to handle some of the high-profile corruption cases, but the process is currently in parliament.

As a result of the delays, a section of the public have expressed concern that almost 11 months into President Akufo-Addo’s reign, there is yet to be any prosecution, especially of former public appointees who were alleged to have misappropriated public funds, giving them the opportunity to be making a lot of noise.

NDC Dares NPP

Interestingly, it is elements within the Mahama-led NDC who are daring President Akufo-Addo’s government to initiate the prosecutions. Some of the corrupt cases are at the finance, education, interior, health ministries, the National Communication Authority (NCA) and the Ghana Standards Authority.

NDC MP for North Tongu and former deputy minister of education, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who lost a whopping GH¢25,000 at a washing bay for instance, fired a salvo when he challenged the Akufo-Addo NPP administration to punish alleged corrupt officials under former President Mahama.

The education ministry is one of the entities which officials may face the law over alleged corruption.

Mr Ablakwa said on Joy FM that the opposition NDC was fed up with the number of allegations of corruption leveled against NDC appointees without proof by (the NPP) government officials.

“What is all this about, that we (NDC functionaries) are corrupt, we have stolen Ghana’s money, we have taken cocoa funds after losing the election and we have spent over $400 million?” he queried.

Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa, who is a former deputy minister of education, said the NPP government lacks what he called the ‘moral courage’ to prosecute former NDC government appointees and also teased the NPP administration of lacking evidence to prosecute NDC functionaries.

“Why are we walking as free men? Why can’t you take action if people have bought motorbikes for ¢17,000 which has turned out to be blatant falsehood? Please deal with it,” he challenged.

Kwakye Ofosu Attacks

Felix Kwakye Ofosu, former deputy minister of communications, threw a challenge to Vice President Bawumia to prove that former NDC government appointees were corrupt, otherwise he (Bawumia) should hold his peace.

According to him, both President Akufo-Addo and his vice have been throwing what he called all manner of unsubstantiated allegations against the past government officials without proof and said what the NPP leaders were doing was “propaganda-laden.”

He posted on social media platform - Facebook - on Monday that “Vice-President Bawumia will find out soon enough that there is a world of difference between ignorant and propaganda-laden shouts of corruption and proving same. Does it not embarrass him that after claiming that the previous government printed presidential diaries at a cost of $10 million, his boss has been unable to prove it 10 months into his government? Would he be kind enough to share with the Ghanaian public how much it cost to print the 2017 diaries?”

He added, “Also would he be kind enough to share with the Ghanaian public the evidence of the inflation of the cost of the Ridge Hospital as alleged by his boss? And if I may inquire, why has his Minister of Health so ignominiously embossed his name on a plaque at that hospital, if it was the product of corruption?”

Batidam’s Taunt

A former anti-corruption advisor to then President Mahama entered the fray and described President Akufo-Addo’s anti-corruption campaign as a “big joke.”

Daniel Batidam said on Joy FM that the president did not need an Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to fight corruption, if he was indeed committed, saying, “The Special Prosecutor thing I don’t get it. If the Attorney-General (AG) has evidence she should proceed to court.

 “The president is fighting galamsey (but) he didn’t set up any special body. If he wants to fight corruption he can fight it,” he said.

Mr Daniel Batidam said the president could have appointed an independent person as his AG, if he was committed to the anti-corruption fight.

AG’s Efforts

A source has told DAILY GUIDE that President Akufo-Addo has instructed Attorney General Gloria Akufo and her team not to send half baked cases to court for prosecution; and the AG has also emphasized the need for a thorough investigation in order to build solid dockets.

“Some of these issues are very complex and you need crack investigators to make a breakthrough. The evidences are being gathered and we shall definitely get to court to start some of these cases. The president as an astute lawyer, believes in the rule of law and would not want his administration to be associated with any form of miscarriage of justice,” the source hinted.