Ex-Ghanair CEO wanted forensic auditors to meet him in London -Rejoinder

dear sir,

The independent newspaper has mounted a crusade to publish falsehoods about me and my era as leader of Ghana Airways. It has been drawn to my attention that some of these malicious and defamatory publications are posted on your website.

One such publication, was the publication carried on your site on 23/04/03 entitled "Ex- CEO wanted forensic auditors to meet him in London".

Please find below a copy of my rebuttal to the newspaper refuting the allegations which I believe you will post on your site

thanking you for your cooperation

E.L. Quartey jnr.

"Sir,

SO AT WHOSE COST DID GHANA AIRWAYS FORENSIC AUDIT TEAM VISIT LONDON, THEN?

My attention has been drawn to an article that appeared in your paper on 22/04/03.

The article suggested that I had asked the forensic auditors, who were investigating Ghana Airways, to visit London, at the cost of the Ghanaian taxpayer. You also suggested in the article that I might have gone out of Ghana to avoid answering questions on my tenure of office at the helm ofGhana Airways.

I would like to point out to you and your readers that I never fled Ghana but indeed gave a full three months notice prior to my departure from Ghana Airways. Furthermore, the then board of directors recommended that I stay for an additional three months, which I agreed to do. However, at the request of the Minister, the initial three month period was shortened to six weeks. It was only after this period that I left to pursue a new career abroad.

Indeed, if I had had no intention of answering questions on my tenure of office, I would not have unilaterally elected to participate in what I was told by Ghana Airways was a "voluntary exercise", namely, the forensic audit.

I did suggest that it would be more convenient to me, on the basis of my circumstances at the time, for a meeting between the audit team and myself to be held in London. This was agreed to in writing by the forensic auditors. As a matter of fact, the auditors did visit London (at whose cost I do not know) but chose not to make contact with me, even though they met other institutions and personalities in London - for example, A J Walter, Ghana International Bank etc.

They later reneged on the arrangement, but,since it was not practicable for me to accept a last minute change, my lawyers gave them options, such as video conferencing and questionnaires, all of which would have cost the tax payer very little and would have addressed several issues. I find it strange that you selectively withheld disclosing those salient aspects of the letter from my lawyers.

Despite my not having had an input into the initial forensic audit report, in the interest of the truth, I did not relent in my requests to the auditors for a copy to comment on. As you may be aware,the report has only now been sent to me by Ghana Airways, through my lawyers.This act, I hope, will demonstrate to you that not only is my input of some relevance, but that my physical presence has never been, and is not, a prerequisite for providing any information that is needed.

Because you did not know these facts, or chose to ignore them, you have, through your publications, sought to place a rather sinister connotation on my well-intended actions.

I am, of course, pursuing various activities to support my family (how I wish I was "cooling off inLondon", as you insidiously suggested!) and so I am obliged to leave the matter of addressing any other issues that you have raised or may raise in the hands of my lawyers.

I am indeed innocent and will focus on demonstrating and establishing this fact by utilising all avenues available to me.

With kind regards