Group Drags P.C Appiah Ofori to CHRAJ

Better Ghana Agenda Group (B-GHAT), a Kumasi based political grouping affiliated

to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has petitioned the Commission

On Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate bribery

allegations leveled against New Patriotic Party Members of Parliament(MP) by the

Honourable P.C Appiah Ofori,Member for Asikuma Odoben Brakwa.

In July 2008, the NPP administration sold 70 percent of government stake in

national telecoms operator, Ghana Telecom to Vodafone for $900 millionon a

debt-free, cash-free basis.

However, months after losing power, the NPP MP revealed in his testimony before

the inter-ministerial committee tasked to review the Ghana telecom sale that all

NPP MPs who voted in favour of the sale were each paid $5,000.

The anti-corruption crusader claimed the bribe money which was used to influence

the MPs came from the Office of the President and that the then Chief of Staff,

Mr. Kwadwo Mpiani supervised the sharing of the money to the MPs.

He said he did not get his share of the bribe because he voted against the sale.

In a face –saving attempt, two MPS in the former NPP administration reportedly

sued P.C. Appiah-Ofori for defamation.

Dr Charles Yaw Brempong Yeboah, a former NPP MP for Atiwa and Deputy Minister of

Foreign Affairs, Mr Ofori Asamoah, a sitting NPP MP for Kade and former Deputy

Minister of the Eastern Region sought GH ¢1,000,000 in damages from the

Asikuman Odoben Brakwa MP in a writ at the Accra Fast Track High court.

About a fortnight ago, P.C Appiah-Ofori announced that he intends to meet with

President John Mills to push for the implementation of recommendations on the

sale of Ghana Telecom.

He said he was unhappy that the recommendations made by the ministerial

committee were yet to be implemented.

Now theBetter Ghana Agenda Group says CHRAJ should invite the anti-corruption

crusader to help in investigations into the allegation.

In a petition to CHRAJ, the group said it was “petitioning CHRAJ to investigate

the allegation leveled against the NPP majority in parliament in 2008 by P. C

Appiah Ofori".

The petition which is jointly signed by Joe Tetteh,Agyare Adjei and Safo Peniel

Daniel-Secretary, Chairman and Public Relation Officer of the (B-GHAT)

respectively said the group “finds this allegation to be criminal and contrary

to the criminal laws of Ghana particularly sections 240 and 244 of the criminal

offenses act,1960[act 29]which prohibits corruption of public officers".

It said if the allegations are proven, the NPP MPs should be prosecuted.

Assembly Member Elect thrown out..

EC announces Fresh elections at Techiman Hausa- Line

Following the nullification of the election results for the Hausa -line

Electoral Area in the Techiman Municipality in the just -ended Assembly and Unit

Committee elections, the Electoral Commission (EC) has said fresh elections

would be conducted in the area.

It would be recalled thatThe Lead in its Friday January 6, 2011, edition

reported about the alleged involvement of the Assembly member elect for the

area, Johnson Adesina in multiple registration and his subsequent attempt to

cast more than one ballot during the December 2011Assembly elections.

Investigations later confirmed that Mr. Adesina indeed registered more than once

with different names at the Techiman Baptist Primary School polling station and

Arms Clinic polling station respectively both in the Hausa Line Electoral area.

Mr. Adesina Johnson emerged the eventual winner of the election. However,

because he had involved himself in electoral malpractice the EC declared the

results null and void paving the way for fresh elections.

A letter signed by the Municipal Electoral Officer, Mr. Samuel Dottoh Kwaah

announcing the cancellation of the results, has been dispatched to stakeholders

in the electoral area.

In an interview with The Lead, the Brong Ahafo Regional Director of the

Electoral Commission, Mr. George Gyabaah, indicated that a date for fresh

nomination and elections will be announced in due course.

Meanwhile police in Techiman say the embattled Assembly Member will be

prosecuted in accordance with the criminal law of Ghana.

The Techiman Police Crime Officer, ASP Kusi Appiah, told this paper the case

will be sent to the Attorney General for advice.