Managing Editor of the National Forum newspaper, James Kwabena Bomfeh, has slammed Gabby Otchere-Darko, a private legal practitioner and cousin to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for representing Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta at the ad-hoc Committee hearing on the vote of censure against the latter.
The Minority has filed a censure motion to remove the Finance Minister following agitations by members of the Majority Caucus that he must go.
A Parliamentary Committee, on Tuesday, sat to probe the censure motion and as required, gave the Minister the opportunity to defend himself.
Various questions were thrown at the Minister from witnesses on the Minority side in the persons of Cassiel Ato Forson, Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam Constituency and Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu who leveled allegations of corruption and conflict of interest against him.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister who was present at the committee sitting, Gabby Otchere-Darko stated such a probe is the mandate of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).
“Our issue is that, if you go to Article 284 of the Constitution, it says that, a public officer shall not put himself in a position where his personal interest conflicts or is likely to conflict with the function of his office."
“If you combine that with Article 287 which says an allegation which contravenes or not complied with this chapter shall be made to CHRAJ. The relevant part is that, when a public officer is to face a charge or allegation or any ground of conflict of interest, it is CHRAJ that the constitution says must deal with it,” he argued.
To James Kwabena Bomfeh, popularly called 'Kabila', Gabby as Ken Ofori-Atta's lawyer sends a wrong signal.
He noted that Gabby is part of the reasons why the President and his government has come under intense heat, hence he should have abstained from representing the Minister.
" . . strategicwise, you shouldn't have represented him (Ken Ofori-Atta) . . . So, what would have happened if a different lawyer had represented your brother? . . . It would have been better if you had let somebody else go in your stead because you, Gabby, although not part of the government but your name smells in all that is going on. You are part of the reasons why this government is being scolded," he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo".
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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Massa the Finance Minister is sitting on a gargantuan rot and if uncovered the government is doomed. Just leave him alone simple let him chop the money wae
The NPP is now in serous trouble. The perception of Ghanaians is that the entire party including the friends and family leader Nana, is completely corrupt and will eventually destroy Ghana if major changes are not made. This kind of unchecked corruption will consume the whole country, if it hasn’t already.
Kabila, it's your opinion and you are free to share it. It's also true that you can't be more Catholic than the Pope. Ken is entitled to a lawyer of his choice and he he thinks his Cousin Gabby will best serve his interest. We must respect that also. Having said that, @Alfred, you have said exactly my mind. Those shouting "we Ghanaians don't want him", I think it's your right to say, and it's his right also to decide to continue to serve as long as the one who has the direct authority over him keeps him there. We like sweeping choruses too much without substance. The process is on and if it's proven he is criminal, stole money, the law will deal with him. Until then, it's your right to shout, and he is also Ghanaian and his right to continue to serve. Are you the only Ghanaians? Ghanaians will have chance to speak at the polls. Until then, they gave Akufo Addo the mandate to rule appointing those he deems fit to help him. You can have your voice, but the one who appointed is his ultimate person who assesses his performance. Too much hatred of successful people in this country
Please give us a break. The only reason they want him gone is because he’s got a tight grip on the finances and isn’t releasing funds to satisfy their frivolous expenses for the sake of upcoming elections. We saw it in 2020 when they were complaining that he didn’t open the coffers for them to do campaign. This finance minister has kept the lights on, infrastructure projects ongoing and salaries paid even in this dire situation. People are behaving as though he came to meet abundance in 2017. When Mahama said the meat is gone and only the bones are left, this minister still enabled the president to fulfill his campaign promises, clean up the previous mess and record growth. So what if in 2020 things got tough worldwide and in Ghana? Does that mean he all of a sudden isn’t capable? People like to throw this word corruption around, if you have evidence bring it forward like Anas did else stop tarnishing people’s reputation with your childish gossiping.
Dan, the issue at stake here is that the finance minister doesn’t want to resign but rather there is the fear of going to jail when he is found culpable in the scandal leveled against him. They (the family) are doing everything possible to fend off such attacks.
Well said, I said same thing yesterday, truth is one and stands out clearly. There is this perception outside there that the president is running a family government. Gabby coming in strongly to defend the finance who is his brother is and was a wrong move. At times you find it difficult to understand why politicians when in government can't easily these elementary errors. Gabby could have been among a team of lawyers assembled by the finance minister but he shouldn't have taken a lead role. In all this why can't the minister resign and have his peace. If you are not able to get what you want in almost 6 years as a finance minister, i doubt whether 2 years will do the trick. The actions and inactions by the president is making NPP unpopular. To the extent that your own NPP MP's numbering 98 openly coming out to denounce the one of their own speak volumes. The president can reassign Ken to another ministry, after all he knows of some ministers who want to contest in the NPP presidential primaries, simply ask such ministers to resign and concentrate on their presidential ambitions, vacancies will be available for you to fix others, you can even make your cousin to handle two ministries at the same time. As things stand now Ken Ofori Atta is the most unpopular minister in Ghana currently. The president should consider the larger national interest, the unity of the NPP and his own credibility and let his cousin go.
Kabila, you have said it all. Unfortunately these two are sending the Npp to opposition. What’s more? They are destroying a potential presidential candidate’s ambitions. A feel sorry for such a great man who will be a good president.
Hmmmmmm