Group Drags P.C Appiah Ofori to CHRAJ

Better Ghana Agenda Group (B-GHAT), a Kumasi based political grouping affiliated
to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has petitioned the Commission
On Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate bribery
allegations leveled against New Patriotic Party Members of Parliament(MP) by the
Honourable P.C Appiah Ofori,Member for Asikuma Odoben Brakwa.

In July 2008, the NPP administration sold 70 percent of government stake in
national telecoms operator, Ghana Telecom to Vodafone for $900 millionon a
debt-free, cash-free basis.

However, months after losing power, the NPP MP revealed in his testimony before
the inter-ministerial committee tasked to review the Ghana telecom sale that all
NPP MPs who voted in favour of the sale were each paid $5,000.


The anti-corruption crusader claimed the bribe money which was used to influence
the MPs came from the Office of the President and that the then Chief of Staff,
Mr. Kwadwo Mpiani supervised the sharing of the money to the MPs.
He said he did not get his share of the bribe because he voted against the sale.


In a face –saving attempt, two MPS in the former NPP administration reportedly
sued P.C. Appiah-Ofori for defamation.

Dr Charles Yaw Brempong Yeboah, a former NPP MP for Atiwa and Deputy Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Mr Ofori Asamoah, a sitting NPP MP for Kade and former Deputy
Minister of the Eastern Region sought GH ¢1,000,000 in damages from the
Asikuman Odoben Brakwa MP in a writ at the Accra Fast Track High court.

About a fortnight ago, P.C Appiah-Ofori announced that he intends to meet with
President John Mills to push for the implementation of recommendations on the
sale of Ghana Telecom.

He said he was unhappy that the recommendations made by the ministerial
committee were yet to be implemented.


Now theBetter Ghana Agenda Group says CHRAJ should invite the anti-corruption
crusader to help in investigations into the allegation.
In a petition to CHRAJ, the group said it was “petitioning CHRAJ to investigate
the allegation leveled against the NPP majority in parliament in 2008 by P. C
Appiah Ofori".

The petition which is jointly signed by Joe Tetteh,Agyare Adjei and Safo Peniel
Daniel-Secretary, Chairman and Public Relation Officer of the (B-GHAT)
respectively said the group “finds this allegation to be criminal and contrary
to the criminal laws of Ghana particularly sections 240 and 244 of the criminal
offenses act,1960[act 29]which prohibits corruption of public officers".


It said if the allegations are proven, the NPP MPs should be prosecuted.

Assembly Member Elect thrown out..
EC announces Fresh elections at Techiman Hausa- Line
Following the nullification of the election results for the Hausa -line
Electoral Area in the Techiman Municipality in the just -ended Assembly and Unit
Committee elections, the Electoral Commission (EC) has said fresh elections
would be conducted in the area.

It would be recalled thatThe Lead in its Friday January 6, 2011, edition
reported about the alleged involvement of the Assembly member elect for the
area, Johnson Adesina in multiple registration and his subsequent attempt to
cast more than one ballot during the December 2011Assembly elections.
Investigations later confirmed that Mr. Adesina indeed registered more than once
with different names at the Techiman Baptist Primary School polling station and
Arms Clinic polling station respectively both in the Hausa Line Electoral area.
Mr. Adesina Johnson emerged the eventual winner of the election. However,
because he had involved himself in electoral malpractice the EC declared the
results null and void paving the way for fresh elections.
A letter signed by the Municipal Electoral Officer, Mr. Samuel Dottoh Kwaah
announcing the cancellation of the results, has been dispatched to stakeholders
in the electoral area.
In an interview with The Lead, the Brong Ahafo Regional Director of the
Electoral Commission, Mr. George Gyabaah, indicated that a date for fresh
nomination and elections will be announced in due course.
Meanwhile police in Techiman say the embattled Assembly Member will be
prosecuted in accordance with the criminal law of Ghana.
The Techiman Police Crime Officer, ASP Kusi Appiah, told this paper the case
will be sent to the Attorney General for advice.