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Group mad over MP's stealing case

Thu, 8 Sep 2011 Source: Ghanaian Chronicle

A GROUP, known as Movement for Better Ghana (MBG) has called on the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Hon. Kwadwo Nyamekye Marfo to set up a Committee of Inquiry to investigate the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asunafo North, Robert Sarfo Mensah, who is being accused of stealing electrical bulbs and accessories valued at ¢1.2 billion.

The Asunafo North MP is currently facing charges of Woefully Causing Financial Loss to the State and Stealing about 300 high tension electrical bulbs and accessories, valued at GH¢120, 000 -belonging to the Asunafo North Assembly.

But the group, based in the Ashanti Region, noted that although the MP is currently facing the Goaso Circuit Court, presided over by His Lordship, Justice Osei Kwame Gyamfi, the 11 beneficiary communities in the Asunafo North Municipality, which were suppose to benefit from the items, allegedly stolen by the MP, have been deprived of electricity supply and are still sleeping in the darkness.

The pro-government pressure group, MBG, is of the view that the communities need to enjoy electricity whiles Hon. Mensah, also known as Bubaa, faces his trial. To ensure that the communities are connected to the national grid, the Communications Director of the MBG, Mr. Francis Dodovi, urged the Brong Regional Minister to appoint a committee to go into the matter and retrieve the items for distribution to the communities, who were to benefit from the package.

Mr. Dodovi, in a statement read at a press conference held at Goaso, applauded the Presiding Judge, His Lordship, Osei Kwame Gyamfi's zeal to have justice prevail in the case.

The MP, whose attempt to have the case struck out by filing an application of no case was turned down, after the court upon a critical study of the case noted that Hon. Robert Mensah has a case to answer and consequently ordered the MP to open his defence.

The MBG regretted that the MP, who is making Laws for the country should turn round to disregard the laws of this country by hiding behind Parliament to avoid speedy trial of the case.

The group therefore advised the MP to adhere to the Laws of this country and make himself available before the Justice Gyamfi's Court to answer stealing charges leveled against him if he believes he did not commit any crime.

The Asunafo North Municipal Assembly in 2008 ordered the electric bulbs and the accessories, from the Volta River Authority (VRA) but the MP according to the Assembly, collected the items in three tranches in November, December 2008 and January 2009 without the knowledge of the assembly. The said items never got to the Assembly neither were they kept at the stores.

The Assembly alleged that the MP shared the items to certain communities unknown to them, and this prompted them to report the matter to the Goaso police, who after investigations arraigned Hon. Sarfo before the court.

When The Chronicle contacted Hon. Nyamekye Marfo on the request of the MBG, he said since the Assembly falls within the Ministry of Local Government, he would liaise with the sector Minister, Hon. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo as to what course of action should be taken in response to the demands of the group.

Source: Ghanaian Chronicle