Rumor Mill of Thursday, 30 August 2007

Source: Lens

Kufuor's Envoy To Japan Terrorizes Staff

... He Is Accused Of Being Corrupt The Lens has picked up credible information that many officers in Ghana’s Embassy in Tokyo are convinced that the ambassador, Dr Barfuor Adjei-Awuah is grossly abusing his position. They however are too afraid make official complaints.

Deep throat sources within the Mission have hinted The Lens that the payroll of the Mission has been inflated with 15 ghost workers with a few also being paid through the wife of the Ambassador.

The officers at the Mission are hesitant to officially complain because of the Ambassador’s reported close link with the Presidency.

Mr Issaka Issifu, a Foreign Service Officer at the Mission, was subjected to the most inhumane treatment by Ambassador Adjei-Bawuah when he had the courage to challenge some of the irregularities going on at the Embassy.

Mr Issaka Issifu, who was subsequently sidelined by the Ambassador for several months, finally requested to be allowed to properly hand over his duties, and submit his working materials and value documents before returning to Accra.

For having dared to oppose “He who must be obeyed”, the Foreign Service Officer was locked up at the Chancery overnight on April 13, 2007. He remained in the cooler until he was rescued by the Japanese Police and paramedics.

He has subsequently been refused some of his entitlements and emoluments. Besides the humiliation, he has suffered, Mr Issifu says that he and his family have also received threats.

Even though he has complained to CHRAJ and the Attorney-General and detailed the human rights abuses that he suffered, nothing has been done to redress the situation to date.

The Ministries of Foreign Affairs and National Security, who have both been notified, appear reluctant to investigate some of the allegations that have been leveled against the Ambassador. These allegations include a multi-million dollar mortgage for the Residency, associated kickbacks, renovations, travels and the purchase of investment items.