Aribus Scandal: Dailyguide's Embraer letter fake - NDC Communicator

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has described as fake a document suggesting how then Vice President John Dramani Mahama allegedly dealt directly with manufacturers of the Brazil aircraft, Embraer E190 SA.

The letter published by the Daily Guide newspaper says Mahama was 'excited' about the support from the Embraer organization, "in completing arrangements for the supply of the Embraer E190 SA aircraft to Ghana."

Embraer Letter

The 26th April 2012 correspondence was addressed to the Director-Sales and Business Development, International Business Development of Embraer Defence and Security, Felipe Monteiro.

The Vice-President's direct communication with a private company the way the former President did, exposed him to all manner of temptations.

Mahama's Involvement

The fear expressed by many Ghanaians at the time was because of the unusual action of the former president as leader of the team to prurchase the Embraer for the military.

It looked unusual for a Vice-president to be dealing directly with a private firm in matters of procurement.

Some experts have said it is against best practices for a President or the Vice-President to deal directly with manufacturers of such expensive items like aircraft.

In July 2011, it was decided by the Mills/Mahama government to purchase an Embraer 190 Executive jet for the Ghana Air Force. The aircraft was intended to perform the role of "Strategic Airlift Aircraft".

The arrangement was shrouded in myriads of challenges, with some bordering on suspicions of impropriety.

While Brazilian sources attributed the failure to what they described as corporate issues most Ghanaians pointed at controversies over the pricing of the aircraft.

No Reference Letter

However, a member of the Communication team of the NDC, Bernard Anim Piesie, says the document is fake because there is no reference number on the statement.

According to him, the NPP wants to tarnish Mahama's image following the airbus bribery scandal.

Contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM’s morning show 'Kokrokoo’, Bernard Anim Piesie said: "the letter is fake . . .there's no reference number on the letter; why this desperation? What is this libido NPP has about the airbus scandal? You have forwarded the issue to the SP (Special Prosecutor) so why the rush. If you don’t believe in the investigation why don’t you say so? . . . as for us we welcome any investigation into this matter)