Minister explains reason for Sai's appointment

Accra, July 24, GNA - The main function of the Office of Accountability recently established by the President is to serve as a pre-emptive body for the avoidance of corruption, Nana Akomea, Minister of Information, said on Wednesday.

At a press briefing in Accra, the Minister said, however, the major criterion for the choice of the head is a certain characteristic of the person based on their relationship with the President and his assessment of the person's commitment to accountability.

The Minister was explaining the motive and rational for the establishment of the office and the President's choice of Chairman in the person of Mrs Florence Aleeno Sai.

The explanation comes in the wake of concerns raised by the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and some section of the public as to the possibility of conflict of interest in view of appointments given to two relations of Mrs Sai.

The two are her husband, Professor Fred Sai, Presidential Advisor on HIV/AIDS, Population and Reproductive Health Issues and her daughter Ogboshie Sai Cofie, who works at the Office of the President.

Nana Akomea said it was a mere coincidence that the chairperson of the office happened to have close relatives connected with the President's Office.

The critics also raised questions on the timeliness of the establishment of the Office and the possibility of it being used to shield corrupt Ministers of State

The Minister said: "The concern is noted, but I will ask of all us that we trust the President's judgment on this matter, and give Mrs Sai a chance to make a difference in the President's zero tolerance for corruption."

On the issue of timeliness, Nana Akomea said the President was just half way through his term and, therefore, there was no need to politicise the issue.

He said: "The question that arises is, if the NDC claims they have put pressure on government and the government has responded, then what is the problem, should they not be commending the President for listening to their pressure."

The Minister reiterated that the establishment of the Office of Accountability was not to shield members of government but to serve as an internal check to complement the external checks of the Serious Fraud Office, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, the Bureau of National Investigations among other statutory bodies.

The functions of the Office would be limited to appointees of the President such as Ministers and senior aids and would be guided by terms of reference including the need to foster the culture of leadership by example and prevent conflict of interests.

In so doing, the Office would administer a code of ethic and conduct, monitor and supervise assets declaration. Nana Akomea said the strengthening of the other investigative bodies would remain a priority of the government despite the establishment of the Office of Accountability.