NCA scandal: National Security Ministry update on findings crucial – Baako

Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako has urged the Ministry of National Security to put out the status of investigations and the findings so far into the embezzlement of public funds at the National Communications Authority (NCA).

According to him, an official statement from the Ministry will confirm or deny the Information Minister’s claims on the matter which he’s made public but are being denied by some persons alleged to be involved in the scandal.

Government has said it is determined to retrieve “every pesewa” wrongfully taken from the accounts of the National Communications Authority (NCA) by former Board members.

Officials, including Eugene Baffoe-Bonnie, former Board Chairman; one Alhaji Osman, former Deputy National Security Coordinator, and others allegedly withdrew $4 million from the accounts of the NCA and have failed to account for it.

They had contracted an Israeli company, NSO Group Technology Limited, to supply listening equipment at the cost of $6 million, to enable National Security monitor conversations of persons suspected to be engaged in terror activities. A local agent, Infraloks Development Limited, was also charging $2 million to facilitate the transaction, bringing the total sum to $8 million.

However, only $1 million was paid into the accounts of the Israeli company while the remaining $3 million was lodged into the accounts of one George Oppong, representing the local agents, Infraloks Development Limited. That money was allegedly shared among the officials.

All the persons involved except Alhaji Osman [whose whereabouts are unknown] and Mr Tevie, have admitted to taking the money and have been granted bail after the BNI took their statements. Some of them have started refunding the money to the state.

But speaking on Joy FM’s News File show, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako stated that it is not in the best interest of the government for its offical spokesperson (Information Minister) disclosures to be denied in such open courageous manner.

“The Minister of Information is an authority, he speaks for government. He comes on radio and makes disclosures…in some way reinforces some of the things in the media so it gives it a certain ring of credibility. Now subsequently to that we’ve had denials from some of these personalities and so there’s a real problem somewhere. I will think that the Ministry of National Security which appears to be the overall body supervising this investigation should update us for good reasons, the status of the investigations and some findings.

“…These allegations that have been put out there, people receiving such huge amount of monies which are definitely public funds is very serious. So we need to be told whether true or false that the BNI is investigating something, those confessions and admissions true or false…because of the denials. So I will want the Ministry of National Security to do something beyond what the Information Minister has said. Because the Information Minister’s disclosures some are being challenged and it gets critical when a Minister of Information’s disclosures are being challenged in such open courageous manner. Let’s settle this controversy by a statement telling us the status of the investigation even before we start going to court, there’s the need to clear the air.”