President John Dramani Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that a staggering over 200 cases are under active investigation, with over 80 people interrogated so far, as part of efforts to ensure public accountability in governance.
Some of the cases under investigation include the National Service Authority (NSA) ‘Ghost Names’ scandal, the National Cathedral issue, the allegations of money laundering made against the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka Chairman Wontumi and his Akonta Mining Company Limited, the Buffer Stock case and the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) equipment case.
Speaking at the Presidential Media Encounter at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, the President said his government has not wavered in its commitment to ensure public accountability “for even a moment, neither have we been complacent.”
He said, “What you are witnessing is not inaction. It is our steadfast adherence to due diligence, due process, and fairness in the pursuit of justice. Yes, our insistence on doing things the right way may afford those who have looted this country some temporary relief.”
According to President Mahama, due to the expansive nature of the NSA case, charges have been drafted and will be filed as soon as the legal year begins next month.
The persons to be charged, he said, include Osei Assibey Antwi, former NSA Director General; Gifty Oware-Mensah, former NSA Deputy General and Eric Nyarko, a former Director of Accounts.
“Also, for the National Cathedral, we are awaiting a forensic audit from the Auditor General. Additionally, charges have been drafted and are ready for filing in the case of Republic v. Wontumi and Akonta Mining. The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), is finalising its report with respect to Exim Bank transactions,” President Mahama noted.
The President further indicated that dockets are in preparation for the Buffer Stock case and the DRIP equipment case.
He said investigations are also ongoing into the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) case, the mathematical set case, among others.
“Let me be clear, every single case of corruption that needs to be investigated is being looked into, and once evidence is found to ground the prosecution, that will happen and happen swiftly,” he stressed.
Over 1,400 ‘Galamsey’ Arrests
President Mahama also revealed that in a coordinated effort across all security agencies and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, 440 excavators have been seized, with over 1,400 arrests being made in connection with illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, with suspects awaiting prosecution.
“Over 300 chanfang machines have been confiscated and destroyed. Over 900 water pumps seized from illegal mining sites have been handed over to the Ministry of Agriculture for distribution to farmers for irrigation purposes. Of Ghana’s 288 forest reserves, 44 had previously suffered varying degrees of destruction from illegal mining,” he disclosed.
The President added that his government has established the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat, as a central operations command centre coordinating the national fight against illegal mining and its associated environmental degradation.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak