General News of Friday, 20 May 2005

Source: --

Hotel Kufuor: Chief Under More Pressure....

...Provide details on purchase of hotel- Prof Gyimah Boadi
The Ghana Centre for Democratic Development has joined the debate over the purchase of a multi-million dollar hotel project by the son of president Kufuor.

The Executive Director of the center, Prof Emmanuel Gyima Boadi, says both the offices of the President and the president?s son, John Addo Kufuor must provide details of the purchase of the hotel, which is next to President Kufuor?s private residence.

Speaking to Joy News, Prof Gyimah-Boadi says explanations given so far are difficult to believe.

?The answers that are being given don?t seem easy to swallow, they don?t seem convincing and they seem to be short of fullness,? he says.

Prof Gyima Boadu explains that the vague answers being given by Chief Kufuor?s spokesman give an impression that something is being hidden and there is lack of transparency.

Asked about what information should be given out to engender transparency, Prof Gyima Boadi says the names of shareholders and where they obtained finances to invest in the hotel project should be made open.

?But providing information that he is an adult and he can buy and own a property when he is the son of the president and the fact that the issue is in the public domain is not going to dispel these allegations and rumors,? he says.