NPP dares NDC over Nyantakyi

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has dared the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to file a complaint with the Commission on Human Rights and Administration Justice (CHRAJ) to probe President Akufo-Addo over his alleged role in the bribery scandal that rocked the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

Embattled former President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Kwesi Nyantakyi had been captured on tape using the name of President Akufo-Addo to solicit investment from foreign investors who turned out to be undercover investigators.

On Tuesday, October 30, 2018, the NDC threw a challenge to President Akufo-Addo to avail himself for an independent probe into the massive bribery at GFA unearthed by ace investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, in which his name was mentioned.

The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) banned Mr. Nyantakyi from all footballing activities for life on Tuesday, October 30 and also imposed a fine of CHF 500,000.

The NDC, in a statement, called for an independent investigation into President Akufo-Addo’s alleged role in the matter.

“FIFA’s decision to ban Mr. Nyantakyi after months of rigorous investigations raises serious questions about the involvement of President Akufo-Addo in the bribery scandal and also brings to the fore once again the need for the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to inform Ghanaians about the status of their investigations into this scandal which has tarnished the image of Ghanaians and Ghana,” the NDC said in a hurriedly released statement signed by its National Organizer Kofi Adams, who is a confidant of ex-President John Mahama.

“We urge President Akufo-Addo to open himself up for transparent and credible investigations by an independent body to clear his name in the said matter,” the NDC added.

But Sam Payne, Ashanti Regional Secretary of the ruling NPP, strongly believes the NDC is only making noise, adding that the President has not been running away from investigators in the matter.

He challenged the main opposition party to take the President to CHRAJ where the Commissioner, Joseph Whittal, who was appointed by former President Mahama, is perceived to be doing hatchet job for NDC whenever cases are sent to him.

Ex-President Mahama inaugurated Mr Whittal as the new Commissioner for the CHRAJ on December 20, 2016, few days before his exit.

Nonsense

Meanwhile, Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako has described the call by the NDC for President Akufo-Addo to be investigated as “infantile nonsense.” According to him, the statement was issued by some “weak and wicked minds.”

Speaking on Peace FM‘s Kokrokoo morning show, Kweku Baako questioned the logic behind the NDC’s demand, saying “to give the impression that what was there implicated the President in corruption is absolute nonsense…It’s crude and unenlightened.”

“…It is annoying. This is opportunism of the highest order and there is no basis…This is crass opportunism. It distorts the debate and the discourse but that is it. So predictable; weak minds and wicked minds! It doesn’t make sense…It’s pathetic,” he said. Mr. Baako urged the NDC to be serious and stop their “infantile nonsense, crude and cheap politics.”

“He should open himself to what thing; an independent body? Who sets up that independent body? When the President’s name was mentioned, what did he do? Did he not call the CID to investigate? Are the CID not investigating? What else? Any person who feels the CID is inadequate to do anything…you have other options. Kofi Adams and his NDC can go to CHRAJ…What he (Nyantakyi) was doing was peddling influence using the name of the President and the Vice President and others. The President says CID should take over and investigate it. What else do you want the President to do?” he quizzed.