Wereko-Brobby Still Under Investigation

.... Philantropist gave office to Apraku
... most of the stories in the media are not true
... Opposition Plant False Stories On Ghanaweb
Sunyani, Nov. 6, Chronicle -- The deputy Minister of Information, Mr. Stephen Asamoah Boateng (pictured), has revealed that some aspects of the allegations against Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobby are still under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).

He assured Ghanaians that, as soon as the investigation is completed, it would be made known to the public.

According to the deputy minister, the government would not rely on any interim report of the SFO sighted by the media and published in the newspapers to prosecute any public official.

He said, "Prosecuting somebody just by an interim report published in the media is dangerous, because somebody's reputation is at stake and government needs to be a little bit careful before going on with such a case."

Mr. Asamoah Boateng said this when reacting to questions from the press at Sunyani where he met the media, during his tour to the Brong Ahafo region.

The deputy minister indicated that if he were the president of this country, Dr. Wereko-Brobby would be back at his post, because "as at now there is not any adverse report against him."

He told the press that The Chronicle first published the allegations against the ousted Chief Executive of VRA before the staff of the Authority began to agitate for his removal.

According to him, from there the paper continued to unearth so many things, which made the public believe the allegations against Dr. Wereko-Brobby, were true.

He said though some of the allegations could be true, corruption allegations are serious ones and need thorough investigations.

He explained that following the series of publications in the paper and the workers' agitation, the government decided to set up a committee to investigate the allegations.

On issues of corruption, the deputy minister suggested to the media men to submit the documents of evidence to the police or any offices concerned after such stories are published in the newspapers for them to continue investigations into such allegations rather than only expect the government to react to them.

Hon. Asamoah said it was not true that the government had said it would not prosecute its ministers and other government officials based on reports in the media.

He said most of the stories in the media are not true and have no substance.

The deputy minister revealed that most allegations of corruption in the media are politically slanted, adding that the opposition and some organisations plant false stories on the Ghanaweb, which some of the journalists download and publish in their papers, attributing such stories to GNA.

"They would continue doing that to make people believe they are true but not," he asserted.

On allegations about Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, Minister of Regional Integration and NEPAD, Mr. Asamoah Boateng said a philanthropist gave the office to the minister.

He hinted that the minister was not even aware that the office was even furnished.