Regional News of Thursday, 5 July 2012

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AG, A Liability!

The Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) is completely flabbergasted by the continuous silence of the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr Benjamin Kumbour on the issue of a self inflicted assassination attempt leveled against him. As the principal legal advisor to government and officer responsible for the initiation and conduct of all prosecutions of criminal offences, his continuous silence on a matter which boarder on such criminality, has left AFAG and all well meaning Ghanaians wondering on the personal credibility and integrity of the man who occupies the noble office of Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
This fear of credibility deficit was further heightened by the conduct of the AG when he recently appeared before the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament. It will be recalled that the Hon Minister speaking under oath threw his integrity to dogs by presenting a fraudulent document on the matter involving the payment of huge judgment debts to CP to the august committee of parliament. It therefore comes as no surprise to AFAG that weeks after his appearance, Hon Kumbour has blatantly failed in making the document available to the PAC.
IMPLICATIONS OF HIS ACTIONS
• It is clear that by his actions, Hon Benjamin kumbour has entirely lost the moral turpitude required of an AG to effectively discharge his duties.
• His continuous stay in office makes a complete mockery out of the high office of AG.
• With such credibility deficit of government’s principal legal advisor, Ghana stands the risk of losing investor confidence.
• The Ghanaian taxpayer would be denied justice in the matter involving the fraudulent payment of GHC 51.0M to Mr. Alfred Agbesi Woyome, a position which is corroborated by Justice Ajaat (trial judge sitting on the case).
• Again the basic principle of equality of all men before the law would be gravely undermined.
In view of these AFAG regards the current AG as a liability on the public purse and should therefore be relieved of his duties with immediate effect.
Finally, AFAG wishes to assure all Ghanaians that the group is firmly resolved to be perturbed by the shenanigans of the government as far as the Woyome and other judgment debts are concerned. AFAG shall within the course of the week communicate the venue, date and time for our next demonstration to press home our demands for justice on behalf of the taxpayer.
Thank you.

Signed:
Ohene Djan 0243372125 Joshua Kyerematen 0249293508
Williams Agyei 0208428465 Davis Opoku 0244861593