Eddie Annan Cleared, Charles Asare Goes To Court

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has recommended the prosecution of the former Director General of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust Charles Asare for causing financial loss to the state.

Mr. Asare together with a former board member Kwame Addo, former head of investment, Emmanuel Asiedu Gyamfi and Mawuli Ababio accused of fronting in the 2.6 billion cedi purchase of the Singer House building are to be "investigated by the Police and prosecuted, if warranted, for fraudulently causing financial loss to the state."

This is the outcome of CHRAJ's hearing of allegations of corruption, conflict of interest and bad investments brought against SSNIT and its former Director General by JOYFM.

The Commission awarded a $1,370 (10 million cedis) cost against Mr. Asare and another $1,370 (10 million cedis) awarded against SSNIT as an institution.

The commission however held that the allegations made by JOYFM against the Managing Director of Masai Developers Eddie Annan were of no substance.

One of the key issues during the JOYFM's SSNIT crusade was that Mr. Annan a personal friend of former Vice President Professor John Atta Mills exploited his friendship with Mr. Asare during his business dealings with SSNIT.

The purchase of 10 SEAT Toledo vehicles from Masai was said to have been at inflated prices, whilst Masai insisted that their cars which were just a fraction of the total number of cars bought by the Trust, were at very competitive prices.

In its ruling, CHRAJ said Mr. Annan did not gain any advantage in his business relationship as a result of his friendship with the then SSNIT boss. Neither was there a conflict of interest.

The Commissioner, Emile Short said the commission is not disposed to investigating allegations of imprudent investments or the viability of investments made by SSNIT or any other public institutions, except where the allegations include abuse of office or conflict of interest.

The commission is recommending to government to set up an enquiry into SSNIT's investment strategy and performance over a specified period as regards the allegations made against the Trust.

Mr. Short urged SSNIT to review its policy of budgeting over $950,000 for the purchase of vehicles for staff when pensions paid to retired workers can be as low as $13 (100,000 cedis) per month.

The Commission commended JOY FM's Komla Dumor for exemplary patriotism in investigating the allegations. "The complainant has demonstrated the kind of patriotism that the Constitution enjoins every citizen to evince by taking on this complex public interest issue at considerable financial risk."