I don’t have any secret accounts; take me to court - Agyarko

Mr. Emmanuel Kyeremanteng Agyarko, New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon is alleged to have, between 2002-2006, opened two cedi accounts and one US dollar account with Ecobank; one cedi account at UBA and another at First Atlantic Bank.

This is said to be a violation of the Financial Administration Regulation 47(3) which makes it mandatory for any public officer to obtain authority from the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) before opening and operating any bank account.

The DAILY DISPATCH, last week, published that the former Chief Executive Officer of the then Food and Drugs Board (FDB) stands the risk of being prosecuted by the Attorney-General for unlawfully opening and operating several bank accounts without the express authorizations of the CAGD.

According to the publication, for the "2002-2006 period, the total lodgement into the five illegal accounts were GH7,865,120,307.36 (old cedis) or US$640,775.15. In terms of the new cedis, the amount is Ghc7.8m (GH7.8bn)."

"A report by the investigative agencies quoted the then FDB Finance Officer, Ms. Genevieve Nelson, as admitting that the FDB management ignored the CAGD’s express order not to open any accounts with the said banks. Ms. Nelson’s admission was confirmed by Mr. Agyarko who was a signatory to all the illegal accounts," the publication added.

But responding to the accusations on ‘Kokrokoo’, the former FDB CEO asked his accusers to go to court.

He denied contravening any law and insisted that if “they have evidence, they should go to court and stop the rumour mongering”

This allegation, Mr Agyarko said, has been going on for some years now, but do not understand why his accusers have not hauled him before a court after his appearance before some state security agencies for questioning.

“I have been to BNI and EOCO…there are laws in this country and I would want the issue to be taken to court. I will not say I am an angel but I will not accept this. You might hold me for some indiscretion but it is discretionary…from the things I have passed through, I will say that I have been through a lot and it has toughened me up. I am not afraid of anything or anyone except God. If I have done anything wrong, it should not be discussed in the newspapers but in court because we are under the rule of law…

I have not received any summons and when they do, I will go but for now it is just an allegation by people who want to malign and destroy my hard earned reputation. If they have any evidence they should take me to court because the rumour mongering is becoming too much,” he said.