Humado: I played no role in GYEEDA rot

Minister of Food and Agriculture, Clement Kofi Humado, has denied a publication by the Al Hajj Newspaper that he has sworn not to go down alone if he is implicated in the ongoing investigations in the GYEEDA rot.

The Tuesday edition of the Al Hajj Newspaper stated that “The NDC Member of Parliament for Anlo, under whose tenure as Youth and Sports Minister most of the GYEEDA controversial contracts were signed, as per revelations by a Ministerial Assessment Committee’s report, is been cited by many for prosecution”.

According to the paper the Agriculture Minister is alleged to have threatened “not to go down alone” if an attempt is made to sacrifice him.

However in a statement by the Minister on Wednesday, Hon. Humado stated that “I have never made any such statement anywhere and I challenge the author to provide proof if any”.

He added that his relative silence on the GYEEDA matter should not be misinterpreted as that of Intimidation or guilt.

Below is the full statement

REJOINDER FROM MINISTER FOR FOOD & AGRICULTURE - CLEMENT KOFI HUMADO

My attention has been drawn to an article published on the Ghanaweb on 28th January 2014 by one Al Hajj titled “I won’t go down alone Minister warns”. Reference was then made to my person of statements I was purported to have made to my close associates.

I wish to respond that I have never made any such statement anywhere and I challenge the author to provide proof if any.

My relative silence on the GYEEDA matter should not be misinterpreted as that of Intimidation or guilt.

As a Cabinet Minister, I have to respect institutions of state. When the Minister of Youth and Sports setup the GYEEDA Committee, I did not complain because I wanted probity and accountability to prevail if only that was the objective of setting up the committee.

The committee only felt the need to meet with me after their first draft report was leaked and published on the Internet. I did not complain and I obliged to meet the committee even at that late stage and responded to any questions they asked.

When HE the President referred the committee report to the PV Obeng Committee and later to EOCO, BNI and the Attorney General, I was invited to EOCO not less than three times on the GYEEDA matter and I responded to all questions asked me and provided documentary proof of my claims and position on the GYEEDA matter.

The feeling by some section of the public and media that I am being left off the hook therefore cannot be true. If the investigative institutions of state had found anything wrong with my role in the GYEEDA matter they would have by now charged me.

It is therefore absolutely wrong and misplaced for some section of the media to feel that I am being left off the hook.

Who says that I am going down and to where? I am as strong as ever and wish to focus on my new job as Minister for Food and Agriculture.

As a person, I am NOT bigger than the party and government I serve.

I know the quality of work that I have put into initiating reforms in GYEEDA during my tenure in office.

I am ready at any time to debate anyone on any matter on GYEEDA provided it does not constitute interference into matters before the court.

Signed

Clement Kofi HUMADO