Minority calls on Executive to operate within the law

Accra, Jan. 26, GNA - The Minority in Parliament on Monday said since the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government assumed power, many people have "emerged clothed in all manner of descriptions and designations and are purporting to speak for or act on behalf of the President, Prof John Atta Mills." Addressing a press conference at Parliament House, Mr Frederick Opare-Ansah, Minority Chief Whip, questioned the capacity of Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, currently the President's representative at the Ministry of the Interior, in signing a press release on January 12, 2009 for the renewal of curfew in the Bawku Municipality and the Gushiegu area.

"This action of Hon. Mumuni amounts to a flagrant breach of the constitution," he said, adding that the imposition of a curfew required an Executive Instrument, which could only be authenticated by a Minister.

"Hon. Mumuni is not a Minister so what was and is his locus at the Ministry of the Interior?" he asked. He held that Alhaji Mumuni signed the release on his own behalf and not on behalf of the President.

"The same Hon. Mumuni has written to cause the retirement of the National Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organization. Hon. Mumuni who describes himself as the President's representative, responsible for the Ministry of the Interior has written to remove the Acting Executive Secretary of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority."

"Clearly, this nation must sit up to prevent the creeping back of the culture of impunity. Several orders have come from people purporting to represent the President only for the Presidency to deny some of the orders that such persons have issued," Mr Opare-Ansah said. He also mentioned reported unauthorised seizing of vehicles from private individuals under the assumption that they were state properties and cited the Managing Director of Barclays Bank and some former Ministers and Members of Parliament as "victims". "Things must be done right and as prescribed by law and it is our candid belief that President Mills is capable of lifting his administration above such obvious breaches. These are early days yet and we believe the President must be given the latitude to settle down. Nevertheless, right is right and wrong is wrong." Mr Opare-Ansah said the New Patriotic Party, being the largest opposition Party, had enormous responsibility to constantly monitor the actions and activities of the ruling Party. 26 Jan 09