Accra, Dec. 20, GNA - The Minority in Parliament on Tuesday urged President John Evans Atta Mills to relieve Education Minister Mrs Betty Mould-Iddrisu of her appointment to make way for investigations into circumstances leading to government paying GHc58 million as judgment debt to one Alfred Agbesi Woyome.

They contended that Mrs Mould-Iddrisu, under whose watch as the then Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, the said payout was negotiated, was “negligent, reckless and unprofessional” in the conduct of the court case, stating that she had contributed to a substantial financial loss to the State.

“She contributed substantially to the loss of over GHc40 million to the State with an outstanding amount of GHc10 million yet to be paid as per Mrs Betty Mould-Iddrisu’s terms,” Minority Leader Osei Kyei- Mensah-Bonsu said at a press conference at Parliament in Accra.

“The least the citizens of Ghana ask from Prof. Mills as President is to relieve her of her appointment as the Minister of Education while truly independent inquiry into the circumstances leading to the single largest loss to the State since independence,” he said.

The Minority also implored President Mills to expedite investigations into the case because it amounted to financial loss to the State and smacked of corruption.

“We demand investigations into this manifestly fraudulent conduct in this stadia saga and possible prosecution for defrauding the Republic of Ghana through misrepresentation and the dubious claims made in obtaining judgment in default of defence."

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu insisted that the Government of Ghana during the tenure of New Patriotic Party (NPP) never had a contract with Mr Woyome, therefore he could not sue government as an individual and receive such outrageous payment.

“Woyome sued for services rendered in 2001 when the NPP Government had not bid for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations,”he added.

“We therefore, demand an independent public inquiry aired on all national television networks and radio stations for all and sundry to actively participate in must be instituted… It is only this that will cleanse the soul of the nation and appease its spirit in these troubled times,” he said.

The Minority Leader accused President Mills of trying to “protect one of his own” because his request of a report into the issue, which had generated nationwide debate, was “self serving”.

“Upon his return from leave President Mills has asked for a report of some sort. This perhaps is the most unfortunate statement made in the whole matter. President Mills is informed when colossal sums are being paid by the State.

“The report President Mills is asking for is clearly a smokescreen seeking to buy time and once again protect one of his won. There are more questions than answers,” he added.