President mahama must retrieve woyome’s money and prosecute collaborators

The Progressive People’s Party (PPP) wishes to congratulate the Chief Justice Mrs. Georgina Theodora Wood and the 11-member panel for saving Ghana from the mortification and thievery created by Alfred Agbesi Woyome. The ruling delivered by the learned men and women on the bench gives credence to Article 1 (1) of the 1992 Constitution that “The Sovereignty of Ghana resides in the people of Ghana in whose name and for whose welfare the powers of government are to be exercised in the manner and within the limits laid down in this Constitution”.

The PPP wishes to congratulate Mr. Martin Lamisi Amidu for protecting the interest of the State and even pursuing this matter at the peril of his job and life. Mr. Amidu has demonstrated that it only takes a spirited individual to make a difference in our society and in our body politic.

According to the court, Mr. Woyome got the money out of void and unconstitutional contracts between the State and Waterville Holdings Limited in 2006 for the construction of stadia for the CAN 2008. As a political party, we are at a loss as to how the claim started in the first place, what efforts were made to establish the legality of the claim, who gave approval for payment to be made, how was settlement negotiated and finally which laws were followed in discharging such official responsibilities?

Considering the mystery surrounding this doubtful arrangement, we are demanding investigation and prosecution of those whose actions led to the payment of the money to Woyome. The PPP wishes to categorically reiterate that being in government is not for one’s self-interest and the abuse of power. It is solely about dedicated service to God and Country.

What Mr. Martin Amidu has done brings to the fore the sense of urgency required to establish an Independent Prosecutor’s office separate from the Ministry of Justice. We want a separation of the Attorney General’s Department from the Ministry of Justice to make the Attorney General completely independent of the Executive, to ensure accountability from elected dictatorship in the body politics of the country. We further demand this separation so that corrupt officials would not acquire political party cards as an insurance cover against prosecution.

Moreover, we are calling on the Honourable Member of Parliament for Cape Coast North and First Deputy Speaker of Parliament - Hon. Barton Oduro to resign immediately and never return to public service. It will be recalled that Hon. Barton Oduro played very significant roles in the unwarranted judgement debt payments.

We believe that his resignation would restore dignity to Parliament, especially to the position of Deputy Speaker. Mr. Barton Oduro should resign as MP as a sign of respect and remorse for his actions against the State when he was the Deputy Minister of Justice and Attorney-General. We also want Parliament to investigate his conduct as a colleague who was involved in the payment of huge sums of State money to undeserving individuals and institutions. This will go a long way to purge the House of such individuals especially from the leadership of the House.

The PPP campaigned on the platform of incorruptible leadership and we wish to hold Mr. Barton Oduro to this principle. We cannot continue to glorify persons whose actions or omissions have injured the State by giving them additional responsibilities especially in positions where they are expected to hold government or the Executive accountable.

President Mahama has a great opportunity to demonstrate a clear and present commitment to uproot corruption and abuse of power by following due process and ensuring that Mr. Oduro and anyone involved in the payment process, undergo investigation and that Parliament and his Party strips Mr. Barton Oduro of his position in both entities, based on the outcome.

Finally, we wish to remind the President, the Attorney General and Mr. Woyome, of the import of article 2 clauses (2), (3) and (4) of the 1992 Constitution. Mr. Woyome stands to be convicted of high crime and the President could be removed from office, if the State does not take urgent steps to retrieve the money illegally paid to Mr. Alfred Agbesi Woyome.

We are wide-awake and waiting to see the GH¢51.2million refunded in full!

Kofi Asamoah-Siaw National Secretary