Former President Mahama (middle) donating the cars to the Chairman and general secretary of NDC
The Truth and Accountability Forum (TAF), an association of concerned citizens, has petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate former President Mahama for donating 40 cars to the National Democratic Congress in the build up to the party’s primaries earlier this year, ABC News can report.
On April 23 this year, former President Mahama donated 40 vehicles to the National Democratic Party. According to Mr. Mahama, the gesture was to help enhance the operational capacity of the various structures of the party ahead of their presidential primaries and 2020 general elections.
But the group is unconvinced by the supposed ‘humanitarian’ gesture by the former President who is seeking to be president once more after a rather humiliating defeat to the NPP’s Nana Akufo-Addo in the 2016 general elections. The group is convinced the former President may have amassed the said property(cars) through foul means.
“We, by this Petition, wish to invoke the jurisdiction of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate former President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama over acts of corruption in respect of donation of Forty (40) vehicles to the National Democratic Congress to help enhance the operational capacity of the party’s regional offices at a time the NDC were preparing for the primaries to elect a Flagbearer for the 2020 general elections, ” aspects of the petition cited by ABC News read.
The petition adds that the single act by the former President constitutes vote buying hence the need for a thorough investigation by CHRAJ.
The petition referenced comments by Mr. Goosie Tanoh, another Presidential hopeful at the time, suggesting the move by John Mahama was an act of corruption and a clear case of vote buying.
TAF noted that, the former president is a statesman and therefore is required to act in accordance with the law and also show commitment to the values of probity and accountability. In view of this, the group wants CHRAJ to thoroughly investigate the conduct of the former President and mete out the relevant sanctions if he’s found culpable.
“As Concerned Citizens of Ghana, we are of the view that as the former President is a Statesman and as such required to act in accordance with law and show commitment to the Constitutional values of Probity and Accountability in all his dealings. It is in the light of the foregoing that we humbly present to you this petition to institute an investigation into the conduct of the Respondent herein, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama (former President of the Republic of Ghana) for corruption”, some portions of the petition signed by Saaka Salia, the Dircetor for the forum read.
