Gov't has not incurred any loss on Quality Grain Company - Counsel

Counsel for Kwame Peprah, sixth accused in the Quality Grain trial, said on Monday that the government had not incurred any financial loss as guarantor, for loans granted to the Quality Grain Company.

The Counsel, Kwaku Baah said the company, which established a rice project at Aveyime in the Volta Region was in production and capable of paying the loans.

Mr Baah was concluding his submissions of "no case" in a matter in which Peprah, former Finance Minister and five others are charged with conspiracy and wilfully causing financial loss of more than 21 million dollars to the state.

Counsel contended that the government could not have incurred losses if the loans had been converted into farm assets. Mr Baah submitted that three prosecution witnesses gave different valuation reports on the project and this made it difficult for the court to arrive at a fair conclusion.

There was no evidence that investigators in the matter did any "scientific analysis and evaluation" of the project. Counsel contended that the prosecution failed to show that loans guaranteed for the company were not recoverable.

Mr Baah urged the court to hold as a fact that the project was viable, provided there was good management. Counsel said Peprah's role in the company's activities was to carry out official policy and urged the court to acquit and discharge him.

The other accused persons are, Ibrahim Adam, former Minister of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), Dr Samuel Dapaah, Dr George Yankey, Nana Ato Dadzie and Kwesi Ahwoi, all former senior public officials.

They have all pleaded not guilty and each of them is on self-recognisance bail. Hearing continues on Tuesday, November 13.