The Progressive People’s Party (PPP) has indicated that it will petition the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) over the Ford Expedition gift given to President Mahama by a Burkinabe contractor.
The Policy Advisor of PPP, Mr Kofi Asamoah-Siaw, said the party would lodge an official complaint with CHRAJ because “the President’s act flies in the face of portions of the 1992 Constitution which call on public officials to desist from taking gifts which could influence their decisions.”
“We in the Progressive People’s Party will lodge a complaint with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice in accordance with Article 287,” Mr Asamoah-Siaw said.
Article 287 (1) reads: “An allegation that a public officer has contravened or has not complied with a provision of this Chapter shall be made to the Commissioner for Human Rights and Administrative Justice and, in the case of the Commissioner of Human Rights and Administrative Justice, to the Chief Justice, who shall, unless the person concerned makes a written admission of the contravention or non-compliance, cause the matter to be investigated.”
Ford Expedition
The Ford Expedition scandal hanging on President Mahama has generated much tension in Ghana, especially between government officials and anti-graft campaigners who have slammed the President for what they say is his blatant disregard for anti-corruption guidelines in the country.
The government has explained that the vehicle donated by Oumarou Djibril Kanazoe and valued at US$100,000 has been added to the pool of vehicles at the presidency.
It also said the car did not influence the number of contracts Messrs Oumarou Kanazoe Contractors of Burkina Faso received from the government, including the controversial $650,000 Ghana Embassy wall in Burkina Faso which was flagged by the Auditor-General.
The Communications Minister, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, said the President could not be corrupted.
Reacting to the minister’s comment, Mr Asamoah-Siaw said: “The President has engaged in misconduct and a minister of state cannot throw dust in our eyes to say our President is incorruptible. Perhaps he doesn’t understand the word.”
He added: “The President has breached portions of the Constitution and he has misconducted himself and the act constitutes grounds for impeachment.”
