General News of Friday, 1 November 2013

Source: Amankwah-Sarfo, Fred

PNF call for the impeachment of President Mahama

The Progressive Nationalist Forum (PNF) is calling on the parliament of the Republic of Ghana to as a matter of urgency commence impeachment proceedings to remove President John Dramani Mahama from office for his complexity in corrupt activities and lack of morale right in the fight against massive corruption in Ghana.

Article 69 of the 1992 constitution of the Republic of Ghana gives the mandate to parliament to remove a president from office whenever his conduct is prejudicial or inimical to the economy or the security of the state. One-third of all the members of parliament have the constitutional mandate to start the impeachment process and save Ghana from the abuse of our resources through corruption.

The presidency of John Dramani Mahama is the worst thing that happened to the fight against high level and institutional corruption in Ghana. According to a former Attorney General, Mr. B.K.A Amidu, the late President Mills had cause to set up a Committee of Enquiry to investigate the acquisition of aircrafts for the Armed Forces led by the then vice President John Mahama. This in effect was an investigation of corruption against a sitting vice president. The first ever in the political history of Ghana. President Mahama has not responded to this allegation of suspicious transactions.

The Committee to constituted to investigate the Acquisition of Five Aircraft, including Embraer 190 aircraft and hangar to the Ghana Army was made up of Hon William Aboah, Mr. George Amoah and Brig. Gen. Allotey (Rtd.),

As expected President Mahama has not allowed this committee of enquiry to complete its mandate and “clear” his name.

Also worrisome is the family dimensions of the president corrupt activities. In one instance the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) use funds belonging to suffering Ghanaian workers to retire a GH¢57.2 million debt owed by his brother, Ibrahim Mahama, to struggling Ghanaian bank, Merchant Bank with the urging of the then vice president Mahama.

The GYEEDA, AZONTABA, SADA, ISOFOTON and SUBAH / GRA and the over a US$100 million oil revenue loss between 2011 and 2013 as reported by the Public Interest & Accountability Committee headed by Major Daniel Ablorh – Quarcoon (rtd.) scandals are just a tip of the ice berg.

The PNF estimates of monies lost to corrupt and dubious transaction under the presidency of John Dramani Mahama is GHC 5 billion.

The PNF has information pointing to other major corruption scandals yet to hit the public. We are also calling on Auditor General to make public the 2012 auditor general’s report for parliamentary and public scrutiny.

A president who swears an oath of office to protect and defend the constitution of Ghana and do right to all manner of person without fear or favor cannot be allowed to continue to superintend over the massive corruption plaguing this nation.

The conduct of President Mahama is highly inimical to the economy and the security of the state and he must be removed from office.

Ghana is a signatory to Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Targets. The eight goals are set to encourage all countries to focus on human development problems.

The goals are about basic human rights – the rights of every woman, man and child to basic access to health, education, shelter and security as pledged in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Millennium Declaration.

Corruption in Ghana is the single major threat to the attainment of these targets in providing the most basic and broadly supported, comprehensive and specific poverty reduction targets ever established.

The vast majority of Ghanaians would be worst off if eradication of corruption is not given the needed attention. With the seeming official presidential collusion and inertia to prosecute perpetrators, the best option available to Ghanaians is for the removal of President John Dramani Mahama.

We urge the parliament of Ghana as a matter of urgency and by consensus start immediate impeachment proceedings against the president.

Signed:

- Fred Amankwah-Sarfo,

Convener / Chairman (0544 3313 24 / 0244 2555 25)

- Richard Nyamah,

President (0544 3102 03)