Court grants Dr Anane time for review

Accra, Dec. 18, GNA - An Accra Fast Track High on Monday granted Dr Richard Winfred Anane, Former Minister of Transportation, an extension of time for the review of the decision of the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) in respect of an investigation it conducted on him.

This would enable Dr Anane's counsel to file a statement of claim. The Court noted that reasons given by the applicant (Dr Anane) were genuine but cautioned that they should limit themselves to the merit of the case.

The Court, however, awarded cost of five million cedis against Dr Anane.

Counsel for Dr Anane had filed a notice on September 22, 2006. CHRAJ had earlier filed an affidavit in opposition. Dr Anane's team, however, attributed the delay in filing of the statement of claim to the ill-health of his Senior Counsel Mr J.K. Agyeman.

Mr Jacob Acquah Sampson held the brief of Mr Agyemang while Mr Bede Tukuu held the brief of Dr P.E. Bondzie Simpson, who represented CHRAJ. CHRAJ on September 15, 2006 recommended to President John Agyekum Kufuor to relieve Dr Anane of his post.

This followed findings of abuse of power and conflict of interest made against him by the Commission.

The Commission arrived at the decision following an 18-month investigation it conducted into alleged corruption, conflict of interest and abuse of power made against Dr Anane, who is also MP for Nhyiaso, when he was the Minister of Health.

The ruling of the Commission, read by Ms Anna Bossman, Acting Commissioner, at a packed conference room of the Commission in Accra, cleared the Minister of the allegation of corruption for lack of evidence.

It made findings of abuse of power and conflict of interest against the Minister when he contracted business on behalf of the Government. The Commission recommended that the Minister apologised to the President, the Government of Ghana, Parliament and the people of Ghana. The Commission recommended that public office holders and Government appointees should undergo a course in conflict of interest and that special assistants should be paid from the Consolidated Fund if that position should be maintained.

It also called for the upgrading of the laws if the Government's policy of zero tolerance for corruption should work. It extended its appreciation to all who co-operated with the Commission in its work.

Ms Bossman said the Commission would soon formally present its report to the President and the Speaker of Parliament. Lead Counsel for Dr Anane, Mr Jake Acquah-Sampson, speaking to the press, in reaction to the rulings said the findings did not reflect the totality of the evidence and that the Commission was prejudicial, selective and politically motivated.

He said Dr Anane's team of lawyers would contest aspects of the rulings that were distasteful to their client at the Court of Appeal and added; "we believe the Presidency would act maturely" with the rulings.