Alan cash is clean - CHRAJ

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice has cleared Mr. Alan Kyeremanten, former Minister of Trade, Industry, Private Sector Development and Presidential Special Initiatives, of all seven allegations of financial malfeasance.

The allegations were levelled by a former Board member of the Export Development and Investment Fund (EDIF), Mr. Kwesi Arthur who petitioned the Commission to expose the Minister and declare him unfit to campaign for the presidency of the country.

Alan is gunning for the flagbearer position of the ruling New Patriotic Party.

Also accused was Mr. A.S. Bekoe, a director of the Ministry.

Mr. Arthur, a former Greater Accra Regional Treasurer of the NPP, (1995 to 2005), who petitioned CHRAJ under the Whistle Blowers Act, which was to keep his identity from the public, gave himself up after granting newspaper interviews on his misgivings on the Minister's alleged misconduct.

Under the Act, the Commission was enjoined to submit its findings to the Attorney General.

Among the allegations was that EDIF paid a sum of ¢32 billion to the Ministry of Trade and Industry at the request of a co-accused, Mr. Bekoe, who signed for the Minister, Alan Kyeremanten to five selected companies for the refurbishment of the former GNTC offices at Adjabeng in Accra. And the complainant alleged that the payment or grant was illegal and contrary the Law that set up the EDIF fund. He also claimed that the monies were free monies paid by Alan and Bekoe, who were public officials, to the chosen companies.

But Speaking to Joy News, Mr. Joe Ghartey, the Attorney-General said CHRAJ dismissed the allegation on the grounds that if any ought to take responsibility, it should be the first Board of EDIF of which the complainant was a member because it was the Board's responsibility to manage the Fund and not the public officials.

According to Mr. Joe Ghartey, CHRAJ in its report regretted that the complainant himself disclosed his identity in the media, thereby defeating the purpose of the Whistle Blower's Law (Act 720), which provides among other things protection for people who disclose information of public interest.

“First of all it gives individuals a process, a manner in which they can report unlawful or illegal conduct or corrupt practices of others; it provides for protection against victimisation of persons who make these disclosures and it provides also for a fund to reward the individual. So for example if you are working in any public institution…and you have some information against your superior or inferior… and you give out this information under the Whistle Blower's Act, you will be protected first against victimisation and also if it leads to some favour or recovery of money, it's possible you'll also be given some reward.”

Mr. Joe Ghartey said he intends to issue a statement on Monday or address a press conference on CHRAJ's findings and engender debate on how to further develop the Whistle Blower's Act.

He however, advised that people hoping to apply the law should desist from disclosing their identities if they must be protected from the people they accuse.

Mr. Arthur's other allegations that formed the basis of his petition were:

**Ultra vires actions by the Ministry of Trade in respect of the management of EDIF funds

**Rental of office premises

**Conflict of interest

**Reconstitution of the first board of directors of EDIF by Hon. Alan Kyerematen

**Appointment of one K.M. Nkrumah as Director of Credit and Acting Chief Executive of EDIF
7. Credit facilities approved through EMPRETEC Ghana Foundation as the guarantor financial institution.