Controversy rages over seizure of Chief Kufuor's vehicle
By myjoyonline - Myjoyonline.com Politics | Sat, 10 Jan 2009
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Controversy looms over the ownership of a vehicle which Chief Kufuor, son of former President John Agyekum Kufuor, had been attempting to re-register at the offices of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in Accra.
Secretary to the NDC transition team Alex Segbefia confirmed the seizure on Joy FM's news analysis programme, News File on Saturday but served notice that the vehicle would be returned if it were established that it was not state-owned. The former President's son is reported to have returned home by taxi.
Editor of the Crusading Guide newspaper, Kwaku Bako, had ealier on the programme stated that checks by his paper into the matter had revealed that although the vehicle had been in the possession of Chief Kufuor, it originally belonged to and had been registered in the name of Mr George Kufuor, an uncle to Chief Kufuor.
Chief Kufuor's vehicle was among a fleet of vehicles which were impounded on Friday at the offices of the DVLA on suspicion that they were state-owned vehicles being illegally re-registered as private properties of some ex-government functionaries.
Mr Segbefia dismissed assertions that the government's effort to retrieve the vehicles amounted to persecuting the opposition.
The transition secretary stated that the programme is only to ensure that “the state takes what belongs to it.”
The “repossession exercise” being embarked upon comes at a time when the assets sub-committees of the transition teams of both the outgoing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) are finalising protocols and proposals to ensure a smooth transfer of certain assets.
Meanwhile former Chief of Staff at the Osu Castle, Kwame Mpiani, who called into the programme condemned perceptions that the vehicles which were being registered belonged to the state.
He said his office had prepared a record of all state-owned vehicles including those secured for the Ghana@50 celebrations.
Mr Mpiani however supplied information that “most of the vehicles were sold.”
Although not sure of the exact number of vehicles on the government Assets of Inventory, the former Chief of Staff presented the following as vehicles purchased for the country's 50th birthday: 50 Mercedez Benz saloon cars, 50 BMW saloon cars, 35 Chryslers, 40 Peugeots, 35 Jaguars and a few buses.
He said his office disposed of all the vehicles except for some 35 Peugeot cars which were assigned to the police force, and 11 Benz and BMW saloon cars which currently remain at the Castle car park.
Story by Fiifi Koomson
Source: myjoyonline - Myjoyonline.com
Secretary to the NDC transition team Alex Segbefia confirmed the seizure on Joy FM's news analysis programme, News File on Saturday but served notice that the vehicle would be returned if it were established that it was not state-owned. The former President's son is reported to have returned home by taxi.
Editor of the Crusading Guide newspaper, Kwaku Bako, had ealier on the programme stated that checks by his paper into the matter had revealed that although the vehicle had been in the possession of Chief Kufuor, it originally belonged to and had been registered in the name of Mr George Kufuor, an uncle to Chief Kufuor.
Chief Kufuor's vehicle was among a fleet of vehicles which were impounded on Friday at the offices of the DVLA on suspicion that they were state-owned vehicles being illegally re-registered as private properties of some ex-government functionaries.
Mr Segbefia dismissed assertions that the government's effort to retrieve the vehicles amounted to persecuting the opposition.
The transition secretary stated that the programme is only to ensure that “the state takes what belongs to it.”
The “repossession exercise” being embarked upon comes at a time when the assets sub-committees of the transition teams of both the outgoing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) are finalising protocols and proposals to ensure a smooth transfer of certain assets.
Meanwhile former Chief of Staff at the Osu Castle, Kwame Mpiani, who called into the programme condemned perceptions that the vehicles which were being registered belonged to the state.
He said his office had prepared a record of all state-owned vehicles including those secured for the Ghana@50 celebrations.
Mr Mpiani however supplied information that “most of the vehicles were sold.”
Although not sure of the exact number of vehicles on the government Assets of Inventory, the former Chief of Staff presented the following as vehicles purchased for the country's 50th birthday: 50 Mercedez Benz saloon cars, 50 BMW saloon cars, 35 Chryslers, 40 Peugeots, 35 Jaguars and a few buses.
He said his office disposed of all the vehicles except for some 35 Peugeot cars which were assigned to the police force, and 11 Benz and BMW saloon cars which currently remain at the Castle car park.
Story by Fiifi Koomson
Source: myjoyonline - Myjoyonline.com
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Controversy rages over seizure of Chief Kufuor's vehicle
Fiifi | Berlin- (Location: Germany) | 1/10/2009 3:37:00 PM
When were those cars sold? The parliment asked for a report or accounts of the Ghana@50 , but this was never given. This could have saved the embarassment and confusion now arising. You see arogance and impunity do not pay afterall. This should be a lesson to all. As for those sycophants who support everything even if their mothers are being sold, let them continue till they realize that they have been sold allready. They should check this for themselves. This is coming out very soon from "the LION'S own MOUTH". Wait and see!
Good Job NDC.
Nyame | USA- (Location: Canada) | 1/10/2009 3:53:00 PM
The NPP must account for the all those cars sold and tell Ghanaians where the moneys went to. The NDC should seize, even their underwears if they can confirm that they were purchased with state money. In any case, don't we have a new President in Ghana? Why continue to show this ape's face on TV and even on the internet as though he is something afterall.
Controversy rages over seizure of Chief Kufuor's vehicle
felix Otu-Afari | wageningen-Netherlands (Location: Netherlands) | 1/10/2009 4:49:00 PM
Its unfortunate this is happening in today Ghana. The result of pride, arrogance and impunity of people in power. I remember clearly when Wereko Brobbey was summoned to parliament to account for them, he refused, supported by Mr no nonsense Mpiani. Today we are realising that afterall power and authority does not rest in one person's bossom. An action immediately following Victor Smiths castle saga. Would Victor revisit the Saudi oil saga now that he is in power or the court suit was not filed. ( meet me in court)Now to my point,
1:why has it taken Chief Kuffour so long to effect change of ownership. Afterall it belonged to the uncle the is no need to re-register, he could always drive on orders of the uncle.
2: Is it the same Chief Kuffour, owner of hotel waawah driving his uncle's car? when he could easily with a consortia of banks raise capital to purchase a plush hotel asset?
On Mpiani rhetorics, yes he is right, most of the plush sleek cars have been sold leaving the peugeots and busses. Is it true that the company that arranged for buying those cars have a link to Mpiani. If yes, hasnt the same company the right to dispose them off?
My conclude simply, Chief of staff is right in disposing off the cars but my worry is at what rate of depreciation?
If we go by 25% deprecitaion per annum , one year after the cars were purchased would sell at 75% of the purchase price(100%-25% after one year). Another factor is whether duty was paid on the cars or the buyer has to pay for duty and registration. I believe this factors can for a lay man work out whether the cars were properly disposed off or undervalued and if yes the difference recovered from buyers to avoid it being tagged WITCH-HUNTING.
