The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has called for a full disclosure of government’s dealings in respect of the Aker Energy scandal.
Speaking at a meeting with the Catholic Bishops' Conference in Accra, the former President asked the Conference and Ghanaians to request from President Nana Akufo-Addo why the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government would renegotiate a contract to the disadvantage of Ghanaians when there was low risk to the government.
“There was no risk in the Aker energy situation, so why would government reduce its stake by about 48% to 18%?” he questioned
Mr Mahama observed that just like many other deals that had party cronies directly participating, some of the key persons involved in the renegotiated Aker energy deal are linked to the Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta and his Databank.
Mr Mahama asked that the Conference and other faith-based organisations, as the conscience of the nation, speak out against the negative happenings in the country.
The meeting, which forms part of the broad consultations initiated by the NDC to interact with stakeholders and key organisations ahead of the 2020 general elections, discussed a number of issues including the growing insecurity across the country, attacks on press freedom, the energy sector, abandoning of government projects, implementation of the free Senior High School (SHS), corruption, abuse of government procurement processes and the banking sector crisis.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference was led by the President of the Conference, Most Rev. Philip Naameh. Also present were the Vice-President and Archbishop of Cape Coast Most Rev. Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, Archbishop of Accra Most Rev. Bonaventure Kwofie, Bishop of Jasikan Gabriel Mante, the Secretary General of the Conference and Directors from the National Catholic Secretariat.
Accompanying the former President were the NDC General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Alban S. K. Bagbin, a National Vice Chairperson Madam Sherry Ayittey and Ghana's former Ambassador to the Holy See Sir James Bebaako Mensah.
The others were former Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, MP for Bolgantanga Central Isaac Adongo, MP for Pru West Dr. Kwabena Donkor, MP for North Tongu Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and a Deputy National Women Organiser Maame Efua Houadjeto.