Former Special Assistant clears name

Accra, Oct 24, GNA- Mr Larry Attafuah, former Special Assistant to a former Minister of Local Government and Rural Development has told the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament that he was innocent of allegations of possessing 117 vehicles procured for the use District Chief Executives in 2003.

He expressed worry that the allegation has brought his name into disrepute and threatened to sue the Ministry for 500,000 Ghana cedis to clear his name.

Officials of the Ministry could not answer the Committee on the whereabouts of the 117 four wheel drive Double Cabin Nisasn Pick Ups procured with 14.39 million Ghana cedis (14.39 billion cedis) from Auto Parts Limited, in 2003 for the use of District Chief Executives.

A Report of the Auditor General of Government Ministries, Department and Agencies for the year 2004 had stated that the management of the Ministry could neither produce the allocation list for the 117 vehicles nor copies of the letters communicating the transfer of ownership of the vehicles to the Assemblies involved.

Mr Attafuah, was however mentioned as the officer who did the procurement of the vehicles when the top officials appeared before the Committee last week.

The former Special Assistant, who said he was now in private business, said no one vehicle among the number was issued without the necessary documentation.

He said District Chief Executives collected their vehicles in Accra, at a well-attended function marked by fanfare and good media coverage, mentioning Mr Maxwell Kofi Jumah, then Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, and now Deputy Minister of Local Government as one of the beneficiaries.

Mr. Attafuah said he submitted all the documentation to the Ministry on the transaction just after receiving a letter to that effect from Mr. D.A Nyankamewu, the Chief Director, insisting, with necessary receipts and documentation, that the evidence tended against him was untrue. Mr Nyankamewu in reply said the evidence was without any malice. On the threat to sue the Ministry for 500,000 Ghana cedis, Minority leader, Mr Alban Kingsford Bagbin brought the attention of the Witness that the Committee was working under constitutional immunities, and such threat would stifle the flow of free speech.

However, Counsel for Mr Attafuah replied that people could not hide under such immunities to tell untruths about others. 24 Oct. 2007