The state-own Ghanaian Times reports that all officials asked to proceed on leave by the government are only doing so to facilitate investigations but have not been dismissed. If they are found not to have engaged in any malfeasance after the investigations, they will be asked to return to post.

President John Agyekum Kufur gave this explanation when a delegation from the Asanteman Council, led by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, called on him at the Castle, Osu on Friday.

The President pointed out that the officials concerned could not continue to stay in office once allegations of financial impropriety had been made against them in person, or their various establishments implicated. They had to proceed on leave pending the outcome of investigations.

He therefore rejected criticisms from certain quarters that those asked to proceed on leave had been victimised by the government and dismissed.