President yet to take decision on Anane

Accra, Sept. 29, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufour on Friday said there would be significant developments in the next few days on the Report of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) on Dr Richard Winfred Anane, Minister of Road Transport. Mr Kwamina Bartels, Minister of Information and National Orientation, gave the President's message at press conference in Accra.

He said President Kufuor has received the advice of the Attorney General on the Report of the CHRAJ and was studying it. Mr Bartels declined to make further comments on the number of days and what kind of developments there would be. The CHRAJ after an 18-month investigation made findings of perjury, abuse of power and conflict of interest against Dr Anane and recommended his dismissal, he was also to render an apology to the President, the Speaker of Parliament, Parliament and the people of Ghana. Almost two weeks after the Report was released, President Kufuor gave an assurance to the nation that the Government would act according to law, pointing out that the right thing would be done in the case of the recommendations.

A statement signed in Accra earlier by Mr Bartels said the contents of the Report had been conveyed to President Kufuor, who was then out of the country attending meetings of the Non-Aligned Movement and the UN in Havana and New York, respectively. The statement indicated President Kufuor's belief in equality before the law, and would recognise that principle. "Government wishes to assure the nation of its commitment to the rule of law and the institutions of democracy, including CHRAJ=94, the statement had said.

The investigation stemmed from Dr Anane's relationship with an American woman, Alexandria O'Brien when he was Minister of Health and money that was transferred to her. The relationship developed into a love affair that produced a son. The Commission recommended that public office holders and Government appointees should undergo a course in conflict of interest and that Special Assistants to Senior Public Officer should be paid from the Consolidated Fund if that position should be maintained. It also called for the upgrading of the laws if the Government's policy of zero tolerance on corruption should work. Lead Counsel for Dr Anane, Mr Jake Acquah-Sampson, speaking to the press, in reaction to the rulings, said the findings did not reflect the totality of the evidence and that the Commission was prejudicial, selective and politically motivated. Dr Anane is contesting the CHRAJ rulings in court.