…BUT RALPH ASIAMAH DISAGREES

Kwesi Pratt Jnr., Managing Editor of The Insight newspaper and renowned advocate of accountability, has called for the immediate dismissal of Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, Minister of Youth and Sports, for his alleged involvement in some impropriety at his ministry.

Speaking on “Alhaji and Alhaji,” a popular discussion programme on Radio Gold, Mr. Pratt Jnr., who leads the Committee for Joint Action (CJA), a pressure group, argued that in spite of claims that Muntaka was allegedly framed up by a mafia at the Ministry, there is no justification for his authorization of certain payments made to him.

He mentioned that the refund of monies for baby diapers and other expenditures made by his wife and presented to the Principal Accountant at the Ministry was a clear case of indiscretion on the part of Muntaka who should have known better.

He questioned if the so-called mafia forced the wife to go and bring the receipts for expenses made at home, even if they told him it was allowed. Muntaka Mubarak, he said should be fired by President Mills to serve as a deterrent to any person who would take their office for granted, adding that standards need to be raised in the country. Muntaka Mubarak, the Minister of Youth and Sports, has come under public scrutiny over allegations of payments he authorized the Principal Accountant at the Ministry to effect. He is alleged to have traveled to La Cote d’Ivoire with his ‘girlfriend’ to watch the Championship of African Nations (CHAN) finals at the expense of the Ghanaian taxpayer. He is also alleged to have asked the Accountant to pay an amount of about $10,000 as landing fee for the trip organized by a private travel and tours operator.

This and other requests made by the embattled Minister are issues the President has asked for clarification but his explanations has not gone down well with Mr. Pratt who made a definite call for his dismissal even if he were later found innocent.

His argument borders on the impropriety of some of the requests the Minister made and the fact that the ‘mafia’ did not force him and his wife to submit those receipt for payment.

However, Mr. Ralph Asiamah, a former Press Secretary under the Limann administration, has dismissed calls for the Minister to be sacked, describing these calls as prejudicial. He maintains that a person is considered not guilty until a court of competent jurisdiction finds him guilty.

Speaking to The Daily Democrat in Accra, he questioned the basis for those calls under a constitutional regime and at a time the case is yet to be investigated by National Security. Mr. Asiamah asked for patience to ascertain the truth or otherwise of the allegations before any concrete action is taken.

He wondered what would happen if the man was later found innocent and prayed Ghanaians to wait till due process is followed in order not create any problems in the system.