Anane's wife gives evidence on Thursday

Accra, Feb. 23, GNA - Mrs Mercy Anane, wife of Dr Richard Anane, Minister of Road Transport, would on Thursday, February 23, appear before the Investigative Panel of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to give evidence in connection with the Commission's investigations into certain allegations made against the Minister.

Mrs Anane would be the second of 10 witnesses which CHRAJ intends to call during the public hearing.


Dr Philip Ebow Bondzie-Simpson, counsel for the Commission, made this known after its sitting on Wednesday, during which Mr Raymond Archer, Editor-in-Chief of "The Enquirer" newspaper completed his evidence under cross-examination by Mr Jacob Acquah-Sampson, counsel for Dr Anane.


After preliminary investigations into the allegations made by a section of the media against Dr Anane, the Commission felt it had the constitutional mandate to carry out a full-scale investigation into those allegations.


The Commission, which h ad indicated that there was no complainant in the matter, is therefore investigating Dr Anane on three allegations, namely, corruption of a public officer, conflict of interest and abuse of office.


Answering questions under cross-examination, Mr Archer disagreed with a suggestion by Counsel that his publications about Dr Anane with regard to his relationship with Alexandria O'Brien with whom he had an issue called Nicholas Anane, were unjustifiably critical.


Mr Archer disagreed with another suggestion by Counsel that his publications were aimed at preventing the Vetting Committee of Parliament to accept Dr Anane for re-appointment as a Minister of State. Asked by Counsel why he had an interview with one Kwaku Appiah, who later turned out to be Joe Richie at the Airport, Mr Archer told the panel that Appiah volunteered information on Dr Anane, whom he was investigating.

Asked by Counsel whether he had occasion to talk about Dr Anane and Alexandria during the interview, witness replied in the affirmative, saying that that was the purpose of their meeting at the Airport. Mr Archer agreed with a suggestion by Counsel that at the meeting with Mr Appiah, he specifically asked of transcripts on transfer of monies made by Dr Anane to Alexandria in the United States.


He disagreed with a suggestion by Counsel that he was desperate for non-existent information about the alleged transfers, adding that he told Mr Appiah that he needed statistics on Dr Anane's dollar transfers, so if he had information on the transfer of even one cent, he was interested in it.


Asked by Counsel whether his interview with Mr Appiah was recorded, witness replied in the negative, but Counsel suggested to him that the conversation was recorded by Mr Appiah.


Before witness could be discharged, Counsel reminded the Panel that he would make available the tape and two other tapes on Mr Archer's programmes on Metro Television and Joy FM.


Mr Archer was, therefore, told that he might be recalled to answer questions on those tapes. Sitting has been adjourned to Thursday, February 23. 23 Feb 06