General News of Friday, 26 June 2009

Source: citifm

Arrest Former Foreign Minister - MPs Demand

Some Members of Parliament from the Majority side of the House are demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Akwesi Osei Agyei, for allegedly causing financial loss to the state over the abortive recruitment of some 30 people into the nation’s Foreign Service.

Their demands follow revelations on the floor of Parliament that under the former Minister’s reign recruitment into the Foreign Service, especially the one held late last year, was fraught with serious improprieties, forcing the Mills administration to revoke the appointments of some 30 new recruits upon assuming office.

NDC MP for Shai Osudoku, Hon David Assuming, alleged that the former Foreign Minister, after conducting interviews to recruit people, ignored the outcome of the process and selected people who never participated in the process. “This is a Minister of State in those days who established a recognized body to conduct interview to place people in position outside this country. After completing this programme the minister set aside the result of the committee and inserted people who never participated in this programme on the list and I think that this is clear violation of the rule and there is a need for him to account for this.”

He added that the action of the former Minister is “a clear example of causing financial loss to the country” and for that matter he must be arrested. When contacted, former Foreign Minister, Hon Akwasi osei Agyei, denied the charges but declined to speak publicly on the issue.