Prof. Hagan reacts to his name on Okudzeto's list

My name appeared in the Ghanaian Times on Thursday, April 30, in a list of officials who the Ministry of Information had accused of being in illegal possession of government vehicles.

I was astonished by this and decided immediately to go to the Ministry of Information to find out more about the news publication.

At the Ministry I asked to see Mr. Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa, the Deputy Minister who had put the news out, and I was informed he was not in. I then asked to see any other senior person at the Ministry. I was told Hon Agyenim-Boateng was in, and he kindly received me and gave me audience.

As soon as I mentioned that I had come to clear my name in respect of the alleged illegal possession of a government vehicle, he reached out for a document, turned over the pages and read what was written against my name. It read that the vehicle that I had in my possession was less than two years old.

Upon this I showed him copies of the documents on the purchase of the vehicle which clearly indicated that the vehicle was purchased and transferred to the National Commission on Culture in November 2004.

Mr. Agyenim-Boateng quickly admitted there had been an error and assured me that this would be corrected.

On Saturday, May 22, the Ghanaian Times published a news items titled, 'Ex-officials Return Vehicles' which mentioned me and a number of others as having been in touch to discuss the appropriate modalities for regularsing the purchase or return of their vehicle.

The statement above clearly suggested that having illegally acquired one of the vehicles in question, I had been in touch with the Ministry of Information to discuss the appropriate modalities for regularsing the purchase or return of the vehicle.

I wish to state categorically that this is a clear misrepresentation of the purpose of my visit. I visited the Ministry to seek an opportunity to explain that there was nothing illegal about the mode by which I purchased the Peugeot 607 registration No. GE 4704 V which I have in my possession.

The facts are as follows:·

The Peugeot 607 registration No. GE 4704 V, the vehicle in

question, was purchased in November 2004 as an official vehicle for the use of the Chairman of the National Commission on Culture (NCe), according to the terms of my employment (See Official receipt No, 0530).

In the first week of January 2009, I sought clearance at the Castle to purchase the vehicle; and with a letter dated January 5, 2009 from the Director of Finance and Administration NCC, took the vehicle to STC for valuation.

The vehicle W8sVallied at GH¢14,700.00. I took the report to the Castle where I was issuCll1With a Bank of Ghana Account Number into which I should pay the amount of GH¢14,700.00.

I could not pay immediately. However on March 30, 2009, I caused my bank to transfer from my account into government chest at BOG the sum of GH¢14,700.00. And I subsequently took the receipt to the Castle to request for change of ownership.

It was at the Castle that the Chief Director informed me (a) that the request for change of ownership had to come from the NCC and (b) that a memo had been sent to the Office of the Chief of Staff that the vehicle I was seeking to purchase was less than two years old.

I rushed to the NCC to bring him copies of the documents on the purchase of the vehicle as proof that the vehicle was purchased in November 2004.

In a letter dated April 22, 2009 reference NCC/OVEHIG/4, the Director of Finance and Administration, NCC wrote to the Office of the Chief of Staff through the Hon. Minister, Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture for transfer of ownership.

I wish on these grounds to comment thus on the transaction:

The vehicle GE 4704 V is not under two years old.

It is the total value placed on the vehicle by STC that I paid.

The transaction had been official and in accordance with established practice.

The vehicle was an Agency property and did not belong to the Castle pool.

I would like to conclude by thanking Hon. Agyenim-Boateng the most respectful and cordial audience he gave me. And he proved very honest. I do earnestly pray that all people in positions of authority treat all citizens in like manner.