The Minority in Parliament on Monday accused the government of arbitrary interference in the functions of independent national institutions leading to a sharp decline in the flow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
"It will appear that a pattern of executive interference in independent and autonomous institutions is being established," said a statement in Accra signed by Mr Doe Adjaho, the Minority Chief Whip, and blamed president John Agyekum Kufuor for taking a central stage.
The statement cited recent pronouncement by President Kufuor that he intervened to reduce penalties imposed on Western Telecommunications Limited (WESTEL), a US company, for failure to achieve targets set in their operating licence.
It said the President's intervention was an unnecessary inference in the affairs of the National Communication Authority (NCA), which was the regulatory agency for the telecommunication sector. "The NCA has commenced the process of imposing the full penalty of about 71 million US Dollars and has held a hearing on the matter at which WESTEL presented its case.
"While the process is ongoing it will appear that the President has unilaterally negotiated a 50 million - dollar reduction of the penalty against the public interest." Mr Adjaho said at the recent National Economic Dialogue the President expressed the need for the reinstatement of the fast track court, which side stepped the authority of the Judiciary in deciding over such matters.
The Minority also recalled that after the Supreme Court's verdict against the fast track court last February the government spokesperson expressed surprise about the decision since resources had been made available for the establishment of more of such courts.
"The fact that neither the President nor the Chief Justice found anything wrong with such a discussion on a matter pending before the courts is a sad commentary on their low regard for the constitutional principles of the independence of the Judiciary," the statement said.
