WHMP was too sophisticated - Anane

Accra, April 28, GNA - Dr Richard Winfred Anane, Minister of Transportation, on Friday told the investigative panel of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) that even though the World Health Monitor Programme (WHMP) was laudable, it would not be workable in Ghana.

Dr Anane, who said this in answer to a question under re-examination by his counsel Mr Jacob Acquah Sampson, explained that the WHMP was too sophisticated that even the United States could not implement it. He said even though he had signed the letter of intent for the programme's implementation in Ghana in the year 2001, at the time when he was Minister of Health , the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was never signed for the take-off of the WHMP.

Dr Anane is being investigated by CHRAJ into allegations of corruption, abuse of office and conflict of interest.

This was brought about following adverse media publications about the Minister, coupled with a petition by Mr Raymond Archer, Editor-in-Chief of "The Enquirer", newspaper, asking the Vetting Committee of Parliament to nullify Dr Anane's re-nomination by President john Agyekum Kufuor for ministerial appointment.

After its preliminary investigations into the allegations, CHRAJ felt that it was vested with the constitutional mandate to get to the bottom of the matter and, therefore, set up the investigative panel to proceed with thorough investigations into the matter without any formal complaint.

The three-member panel is chaired by Miss Anna Bossman, Acting Commissioner, with Mr Richard Quayson, Deputy Commissioner in charge of Public Education and Anti-Corruption and Ms Abena Bonsu, Director responsible for Legal and Investigations, as members.

The Panel which is conducting the investigations through public hearing has so far invited eight witnesses to testify before it.

Continuing with his testimony under re-examination, Dr Anane told the Commission that, even though, a draft of the MOU on the WHMP was presented to the Attorney-General (A-G) for study and advice, he could not in any way have influenced the A-G to reject the project. In answer to a question by Counsel whether he, at any point in time, expressed financial interest in the project, Dr Anane's response was in the negative.

In response to a further question by Counsel, Dr Anane said he did not demand any position in the entity whose President and Chief Executive Officer was Miss Alexandria O'Brien Anane, the American Lady, who is at the centre stage of the Minister's investigations.

On the question of money transfers to Mrs Anane, with whom he has a son called Nicholas Anane, Dr Anane told the panel that he never instructed a witness, Mr Collins Kwame Duodu-Bonsu, who was his former special assistant, to remit monies to Mrs Anane for the upkeep of their child.

In answer to a question relating to funds for the child's support, Dr Anane told the Commission that after consultations with his Lawyers, Mrs Anane did not agree with him on a monthly remittance of 200 dollars. He said negotiations broke down because Mrs Anane wanted a monthly remittance of 500 dollars, which he said, he could not afford.

Dr Anane told the Panel that it was very strange to him when Mrs Anane in her evidence told the Commission that he instructed a United States Pharmaceutical Company called Palm Incorporated to issue a cheque for an amount of 852,000 dollars to her, because the Minister said he did not know the existence of any such company.

He said he only knew of a Ghanaian Company called Palm Pharmaceuticals, but added that he was not in any position to influence its financial dealings.

On the appointment of Mr David Osei-Owusu as Chief Executive of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Dr Anane said it was never true for some newspapers to suggest that he used his office as the Sector Minister to influence Mr Osei-Owusu's appointment.

Explaining, Dr Anane said such an appointment was normally made by the President upon the recommendations of the DVLA Board.

Dr Anane said it was not true for some media to come out with publications alleging that he paid monies to certain journalists in order to drop stories on him.

Asked by Counsel what his comments were if by virtue of his position certain allegations were made against him, as he currently found himself in that situation, Dr Anane responded that as a public figure elected by the people, "he becomes owned by members of the public".

However, he said, it was always prudent for the public to ensure that issues of allegations made against certain public figures were looked into dispassionately, so that at the end of the day, when the truth came out, their images were not tarnished, neither were their good names dragged into the mud.

Answering a question from a Panel Member, as to why the transfers in the region of about 72,000 dollars made to Mrs Anane by his Former Special Assistant was not brought to his attention; Dr Anane replied that his Special Assistant had not informed him even up to today. Proceedings have been adjourned to Wednesday, June 7 when Mr Duodu-Bonsu, who had previously testified, would be recalled to give further evidence.