Clash over renovation of JAK's private house

President John Agyekum Kufuor today slammed his critics who are always keen to publicize and tell his alleged corrupt side to him without providing concrete evidence to prove their case.

In an apparent reference to a petition filed at the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), by Minority Leader Alban Bagbin on an alleged stealing of State money to renovate the President?s private residence, which was subsequently thrown out by the Commission, the President had hash words for his critics, describing the charges against him as ?irresponsible and unfounded.?

?? An honorable member of this house ?failed to prosecute the case ?but yet unfounded allegations of this kind continue to be made? This is indeed irresponsible,? the President said in an obvious reference to Alban Bagbin. The President was delivering his sixth State of the Nation Address to Parliament in Accra.

But, in a swift response to the President?s attack on his personality, the Minority Leader hit back at the President, labeling the President as ?ignorant? and describing the President?s statements as ?most unfortunate.?

Mr Bagbin was addressing a press conference soon after the President delivered his State of the Nation Address to the 230-member Legislature. However, hailing himself as the first President in the history of Africa and in Ghana for that matter to open up himself for investigations, the President did not leave out the section of media, which has constantly kept his presidency under fire. He criticized the media for making wide allegations which it has never been able to proof and called on the media top amend their ways.

The President nevertheless urged the media not to hesitate in reporting corrupt public officials to the Police or the Office of Accountability at the Presidency for immediate action.