President promises to return CPP confiscated assets

Accra, April 10, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama on Friday reiterated his government's commitment to return all the confiscated assets of the Convention People's Party (CPP) at the shortest possible time.

He said he had referred the earlier petition of the CPP Council of Elders to the Attorney General, who would in turn after investigations make recommendations for him to make the final decision.

President Mahama gave the assurance when five members of the Council of Elders called on him at the Flagstaff House, Kanda.

The Elders were at the Presidency to thank the President for announcing at his last state of the Nation address that he would return all the confiscated assets of the Party.

The members are; Mr Felix Amoah, Chairman, Mr Baffour Kwabena Senchiri, member, Nana Mprim, Coordinator of the group and Dr Bobbylor Fleischer, member.

During his state of the Nation address in February, President Mahama promised to pursue the issue of releasing all confiscated assets, following the petition the Council had presented to him.

President Mahama said the confiscations of assets including those of the CPP formed part of some of the injustices that had bedeviled the country through coup d'états.

"Ghana has come a long way with coup d'états and confiscated assets. Even though the former administration instituted the Nation Reconciliation Commission, it did not solve all the problems at hand."

He said the Attorney General is working around it and hoped that they would be consulted in the process before their final recommendations to government to act upon.

"I hope that this matter will be put to rest at the shortest possible time," President Mahama added.

On his visit to the Ebola affected countries last year, President Mahama said it formed part of his responsibilities as the Chair of Economic Community for West African States.

He said his visit was to ensure that safety measures were put in place to avert the spread of the viral disease in other countries.

Touching on Ghanaian volunteers, President Mahama said all the 45 Ghanaians that travelled to the most affected countries had returned safely, indicating that, at the appropriate time the state would recognise them.

Mr Amoah, commended President Mahama for what he described as "bold and courageous gesture" to return the assets of the CPP.

"We therefore feel it is fitting to follow up to thank you for your bold and courageous gesture to return all the confiscated assets of the Convention People's Party."

Mr Senchiri, commended President Mahama for introducing the Youth Enterprise Support Initiative to support young Ghanaians to set up their own enterprises. GNA