General News of Monday, 29 January 2001

Source: null

NDC to take Kufuor to court over cars

Credible reports as at Friday night reveal that there is the likelihood of some ex-Ministers of the NDC defying the directive of President J.A. Kufuor that they pay the difference between old and new values of cars they purchased or give up the cars.

“They have decided to drag President Kufuor and his government to the law courts to determine whether the sale of the vehicles at concessionary rate was legal or not,” quotes The Dispatch.

The NDC held a meeting of some of its top hierarchy and ex- Ministers Friday evening, with the main agenda being the controversy over the vehicles.

There were, heated but friendly exchanges, with some advocating that the ex-Ministers and appointees should return the vehicles. There were equally strong representations that the issue be taken to court.

The group intending to go to court arguably wanted it clearly spelt out that one car is sold to certain categories of public officials when they leave office, claiming the system has been in existence since 1987 and has benefited hundreds of senior public officials including judges, senior civil servants, PNDC Secretaries of State and Ministers.

The group, according to a source close to the meeting said it had a long list, which if released, could make interesting reading. Analysts believe that those who intend to take the issue to court will not return their cars till the seven-day ultimatum by President Kufuor expires and will go to court depending on what the President intends to do after that.