Gov't will receive better offers for state assets if... - Victor Smith

Ghana’s former envoy to the Czech Republic, Ambassador Victor Smith, has waded into the controversy surrounding the acquisition of a state bungalow by NPP Chairman, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey.

Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey, a former minister of Tourism under the erstwhile Kufuor administration came under series of attacks and was accused of abusing his office in his attempt to purchase a state asset.

Although the case was finally settled at the Supreme Court and the ruling went in favour of Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey, he hasn’t been granted his peace of mind.

In an interview with Okay FM, Ambassador Victor Smith explained that inasmuch as he has no qualms about ministers acquiring government property, he believes such processes must be made transparent.

In his view, if selling of state assets is made public, there is a tendency for government to receive better offers than what some minister would pay.

Citing Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey’s case as an example, Mr. Smith noted that compared to the monies paid for the bungalow in question, businessmen could have stepped in to offer better prices.