CHRAJ can't investigate Hotel saga - Minority

Accra, June 4, GNA - The Minority in Parliament on Saturday, questioned the propriety of the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) conducting investigation into the purchase of a hotel by either the President or his son, Chief John Addo Kufuor.

In a statement it said CHRAJ as presently composed did not satisfy constitutional provisions and requirement of its composition to carry out its mandate.

The Minority pointed out that the Chairperson of the Commission, Mr Emile Short was away on international assignment and with the recent retirement of the Deputy Commissioner, Mr B K Opong; it remained only one Deputy Commissioner, Ms Anna Bossman at post who was also acting as Chairperson.

The Minority stated that it's experience with the Commission did not inspire faith in it that CHRAJ would do a thorough job with the investigation and was of the view that a multi-party parliamentary committee would be better suited to conduct an inquiry into the matter. The statement recalled a petition the Minority presented to CHRAJ calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the renovation of the President's private residence.

It stated that in a clear abdication of its mandate, the Commission threw out the application on a technicality without going into the merit of the matter.

The statement said in all circumstances of the case a multi-partisan parliamentary committee was better suited to conduct an inquiry into the matter.