General News of Friday, 17 June 2016

Source: Rashid obodai Provencal

Greenstreet's view on Ford gift saga not position of CPP - CPP

Flagbearer of the Convention People Flagbearer of the Convention People

The Youth wing of the Nkrumahist party have joined the league of critics calling on President Mahama to resign from office for breaching his own code of ethics and the constitution of the Republic of Ghana by accepting the controversial gift from a Burkinabe contractor.

The Presidential candidate of the Convention People's Party (CPP), Ivor Greenstreet according to John Osei, Head of Finance and Administration of the Youth League of the party, expressed his personal opinion on the Burkinabe ford expedition vehicle presented to President John Dramani Mahama, by Djibril Kanazoe.

The flagbearer of the CPP in an interview with the media said, he sees nothing wrong with President Mahama receiving a gift from a Burkinabe contractor after he had been awarded two contracts from government.

“I don’t have a feeling that there is a breach of protocol or conflict of interest” ,he explained.

He dismissed talks about impeaching president John Mahama as ridiculous after two lawyers argued that the president has breached Article 284 of the Constitution.

However, the Youth League of the party said, the position taken by the presidential candidate does not represent the position of the CPP.

"Mr Ivor Greenstreet is only expressing his personal opinion on the issue and no one begrudge him for doing that. He is absolutely at liberty to do that. But we the youth consider it as a gift and a bribe and that is why we are saying, President Mahama should resign honourably. This is not a mere joke. If the President does not resign, we will hit the streets with a mammoth demonstration against him."

Speaking in an interview with Kwabena Agyapong on the morning show on Rainbow Radio, John Osei said "We can not allow this level of corruption to go on in this country. We call on all well meaning Ghanaians to join us to 'force' the President to resign."

He explained that the President has breached his own code of ethics and the 1992 constitution by accepting the gift.

He said, the President has brought his office into public ridicule and embarrassed the entire state.

"This is not something we should allow...He has breached his own code of ethics. He has not upheld the Constitution of Ghana. He has involved himself in bribery and he is not fit for the Presidency. He should honourably resign, that's all we are saying."

He added, "The President was in the position of awarding a contract to that same man in the same year. This is a conflict of interest. President Mahama has escape a lot scandals and this time around, we will not allow the President to continue to be on the state. After you have accepted this bribe, you called the man and thanked him- This is not something we should allow."