"Investigations Are In Order" -Akufo-Addo

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, said on Monday that government policies are on course and investigations into suspected malpractice and misappropriation in public institutions would not divert its attention.

In an interview with the GNA in Accra, Nana Akufo-Addo said the investigations are in order and do not amount to witch-hunting.

He said they would enable the new ministers to acquaint themselves with how the ministries, departments and agencies were run so as to determine the best way forward.

"It will allow the ministers to establish mechanisms that will enable Ghanaians to appreciate good governance". The Attorney General said there had been several allegations in the past three years of mismanagement of the water sector, the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and other sectors, which must be investigated.

"We cannot just brush them off and continue with work. The truth must be established so that we can win the trust of the people for us to carry out the mandate given us.

"This is not witch-hunting and so far there has not been any arbitrary arrests, shaving of hair or any such actions contrary to the law, to suggest that government has gone out of the way to get people into trouble".

Nana Akufo-Addo said the investigations have two aims. First, they are to satisfy both the government and Ghanaians that the nation's resources are properly accounted for.

Second, they are to enable the new government to fashion out better mechanisms to ensure that waste of resources is not repeated.

"The people of this country are entitled to know the truth and we are determined to get to the bottom of all allegations." He said some officials of the previous government are clearly nervous about the whole exercise but gave the assurance that the investigations would be done according to the due processes of the law.

Nana Akufo-Addo said officials being investigated should not be ashamed if they have nothing to hide. He said the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) have their roles to play but for now, the investigations would be done on the executive level.

The two anti-corruption institutions would intervene when investigations assume certain dimensions, he said. Commenting on the repeal of the criminal libel law, Nana Akufo-Addo said the present government does not believe that the move would lead to abuse in the media circles.

He said in the recent past, the media, especially the private media, have been very responsible. In any case, he said, "we do not believe that freedom of speech, of views should be criminalised."

"We do not believe that people should go to jail for expressing their views." The minister said a free hand for the media would ensure that the government is more open and transparent.