Tarzan Refused Copy Of Committee Report

In a letter dated June 19, 2003, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Volta River Authority (VRA) requested the Minister of Energy to furnish him with a copy of the Report of the Review Committee set up to investigate allegations leveled against him by the workers of the Authority.

According to Dr Wereko-Brobby, the purpose of the request was to enable him to study the Report comprehensively and to comment on its findings and recommendations for the records.

''The need for this letter has arisen because of some very disturbing and unusual developments both in the conduct of investigations and the public statements that have been made subsequent to the completion of the Committee’s work, especially two reports that appeared in the Daily Graphic editions of yesterday and today'', the CEO submitted quoting the editions of June 18 and 19 respectively.

The Minister has however refused to oblige in a letter dated June 19, 2003, saying he could not make available to the VRA Boss, the report because he (Minister) is the person who has the only copy of the report.

''I do not wish to be drawn into matters dealing with the inner workings of the committee. I am satisfied with the work of the committee. In this regard, you must not attempt to link the Committee to what any newspaper publishes. You have the liberty, as I am sure you know, to take whatever steps you deem appropriate to deal with the newspapers'', the Minister added.

Dr Nduom said he had discussed the report on the Committee’s conclusions with the President and was assured of quick decision on his (Nduom’s) recommendations.

In the letter, Dr Wereko-Brobby (aka Tarzan) called the attention of the Minister to a few issues. He said despite the fact that he spent a total of eleven and a half hours with the committee, he was not shown any specific document setting out the charges against him nor were the charges read out to him in a systematic manner by the committee.

Again, he indicated that he made a comment to the Committee which he found unusual ''and indeed topsi turvi application of the rules of natural justice for the situation''. Dr Wereko-Brobby maintained that those who were making the accusations were not being obliged to prove their case but rather it was the accused who was being asked to prove that the accusations leveled against him were not true.

Tarzan was disturbed that materials which were provided to the Committee by the Authority had found its way into the pages of the Ghanaian Chronicle. Dr Wereko-Brobby said he was aware that government appointed him to the position he is holding and that it is government’s prerogative and or his decision as to whether he could continue in office or not. ''However, what I believe I should fight for and will continue to do so with all resources available to me in the maintenance of my integrity'', he added.