Search KPMG officials before audit – Asiedu Nketia

General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia says KPMG officials should be searched before they start counting the contentious 11,842 pink sheets tendered in court as evidence by the petitioners.

According to him, a thorough search of the officials who will be assigned to do the counting is the only way Ghanaians would accept the outcome of the audit. KPMG is the accounting firm tasked to audit the contentious pink sheets exhibits in the ongoing presidential election petition before the Supreme Court.

The presiding judge, Justice William Atuguba, in consultation with the parties involved appointed KPMG as referee for the audit.

His directive was on the request of counsel for the third respondent, Tsatsu Tsikata who claimed the number of pink sheets exhibits in their possession was less than what the petitioners claimed to have filed.

Although the Supreme Court has formally written to the accounting firm, KPMG is yet to put together the team who will work on the pink sheet exhibits.

Even before the audit team starts work, Johnson Asiedu Nketia on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Friday, expressed fear the officials might be compromised.

"We cannot guarantee the neutrality of KPMG staff so if they are searched before the audit, we will be sure none of them will add or subtract from the exhibits," he said.

Asiedu Nketia who is the witness for the first and third respondents said the NDC is treating the case with all the seriousness it deserves because the outcome could affect the presidency.

The NDC scribe noted that election petition hearing is of national interest and thus any security lapses will not be countenanced.

He cautioned representatives of the NDC to avoid complacency and to be extra vigilant during the counting process.

Asiedu Nketia was optimistic that the NDC would be vindicated after the audit.