Resignation Is Not Enough
The resignation of Mrs Dzifa Attivor coupled with the panic attempt by government to retrieve G1.9 million out of the G 3.6 million used on the rebranding of 160 metro buses raises more questions than answers. Some of the pertinent questions that this dubious contract raises includes but not limited to whether the Mrs Attivor acted alone without cabinet approval, whether the proper procurement procedures were followed as required by the public procurement act and whether due diligence was exercised or simply ignored as has been the practice under this government.
These are legitimate questions that require critical interrogation and in depth scrutiny as they bother on endemic corruption, abuse of office, mismanagement, serious breaches of the procurement law and total disregard for good governance practices.
It should be made clear that the decision to rebrand 160 buses at the cost of G 3.6 million is a major policy decision that must be discussed, debated and approved by cabinet of which President Mahama is the chairman. Hence, the decision to award this fraudulent contract was not a mere Ministerial decision taken by the then Minister for Transport. Clearly, the Minister could not have acted without the knowledge and consent of President John Dramani Mahama In fact the award of such a questionable contract is a policy decision taken at the highest level of government (cabinet) with the President as the presiding officer.
Even more incriminating for the President is the revelation that money for the execution of this scam came from petroleum revenue. The Petroleum Revenue Management Act 815 of 2014 is unambiguous on how revenue from our petroleum should be disbursed and who can authorise the use of such revenues and for what purpose. Section 7(2a) of the Act states among other things that the use and disbursement of petroleum revenues requires the prior approval and authorisation of the President of the Republic.
Against this background, like all Ghanaians the world over, NPP-Germany is convinced that President John Mahama had full (factual and constructive) knowledge of the contract to rebrand the 160 buses at the cost of G 3.6 Million. Consequently, any attempt to exonerate the President from this scandal is simply untenable and an act of political folly.
Moreover, the resignation of Mrs Dziffa Attivor should not be the end but it should mark the beginning of a thorough parliamentary investigation to unravel and determine the involvement of President Mahama and other officials who have colluded to dupe the people of Ghana.
We would not be surprised if the disgraced former Minister is resigned a new and perhaps more lucrative position. As the Majority Leader, Hon Adam Sumani Bagbin rightly noted this is a government of Mahama Family and Friends and President Mahama would stop at nothing short of protecting the interests of his cronies and friends at the expense of the Ghanaian tax payer.

The Communication Team
NPP-Germany