General News of Monday, 15 June 2009

Source: The Insight

Mills Ready To Sack Mubarak

Aides to President Mills have confirmed that the President will give Youth and Sports Minister Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed Muburak the sack even if only one of the numerous allegations against him is proven.

“The President is anxiously waiting for the outcome of investigations and he is not about to disappoint the people of Ghana.

“Even if just one of the allegations against the Minister is proven, he will be sent home” said an aide to the President.

Last week, the President asked the Minister to proceed on leave whiles the allegations were being investigated by the office of the National Security Co-ordinator.

The Minister had earlier been asked to submit a written explanation to the President. The allegations include a claim that the Minister flew to La Cote d’Ivoire and Germany with his girl friend at state expense. He is also alleged to have claimed $1000 from state covers to pay for the services of a Mallam who prayed to the success of the national soccer team, the Black Stars.

Another allegation against the Minister is that although he claimed $10,000 as landing fees, the Presidential jet which took a government delegation to La Cote d ‘Ivoire did not pay landing fees.

The Minister also allegedly got the state to pay for such household items as baby milk, pampers and meat.

The Minister has insisted on his innocence since the scandal broke. His supporters claim that he was set up by the civil servants in the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Some have even likened his predicament to that of Mallam Yusif Issah, a young Minister of Youth and Sports who was convicted in the Kufuor administration for the loss of several thousand dollars belonging to the state. Certianly, President Mills is in a no-nonsense mood and Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak has become a major test case for him.