FGJ welcomes judgement debt guidelines

The Forum for Governance and Justice (FGJ) on Thursday welcomed the directive on the payment of judgement debt outlined by Cabinet.

“The FGJ sees the wisdom and proactive implications of the directive that all judgement debts and claims above GH¢10 million be submitted to Cabinet for approval prior to final settlement and payment.”

A press release issued by Dr. Clement A. Apaak, Convener for FGJ said its outfit was sad that judgment debt, which was a national issue, had been politicized giving room for different political interest groups to make threats and calling for the arrest of their political opponents.

It said the directive that the Attorney General and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning should submit monthly and quarterly reports on all judgement debts and settled claims received or paid, is an assurance of determined oversight and critical scrutiny.

“Clearly, this action indicated that government agreed with the people that the massive amounts denied the people year after year to judgement debt must be curtailed,” it added.

“Notwithstanding the overt attempts to politicize this national challenge, it is instructive to note that judgement debts are debts incurred by the State and not by a government or a party,” it added.

The statement said the bulk of judgement debt paid or to be paid by the State is as a result of the actions and or inactions of public officials working for and in the name of the State.

“We believe that if we are to save our national wealth by avoiding the payment of judgement debt, we must serve notice that those with the capacity and responsibility to protect the interest of the State will be held accountable to their actions or in-actions, which leads to needless and preventable judgement debt.”

It said the current directive by Cabinet is a step in the quest to find a sustainable solution to the wanton misuse of our collective wealth.

The statement said the State can also be saved from bleeding if it implement the recommendations of the Auditor General year in and year out. **