President Quizzed Over Donation

A leading civil society organization, the Ghana Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-Ghana) has advocated for legislation similar to the provision on the granting of loans, to fill the constitutional gap that exists in the area of gift giving involving substantial amounts of cash (especially foreign exchange).

This is against the background of cash gift of US$100,000 that President John Agyekum Kufuor gave to the government and people of the Democratic Republic of Congo early this year.

This was on behalf of the government and people of Ghana following the tragic eruption of Mount Nyirangogo in Goma, the capital city of DRC.

A publication in the CDD-Ghana newsletter, “Democracy Watch” stated that “while this example of intra-African charity and assistance is commendable. It is not clear that the constitution or any other law gives the President plenary power to make such gifts in the name of the people of Ghana”.

It cautioned “we do not doubt or question the good faith or wisdom of the government in making the $100,000 gift to a sister African country in its moment of need. Infact, we applaud the spirit behind the gesture. However, without a law to regulate such gift giving, the opportunity could be abused in ways unimaginable”.