A president, vice president shouldn't participate in commercial communications with commercial entities – OSP advises

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has advised against the participation of a President and a Vice President in commercial communications and meetings with commercial entities.

Briefing the press after closing its investigation into the Airbus scandal, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng said this practice should not be encouraged as it exposes elected high officials to the spectre of the slightest hint of perceived corruption.

"The direct participation of the President and the Vice President (on behalf of the Republic) in commercial communications and meetings with commercial entities should not be encouraged either – as they expose these elected high officials to the spectre of the slightest hint of perceived corruption that may attend international business transactions.

“The President and Vice President should be insulated from such direct commercial dealings," Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng said.

In its investigations, the Office of the Special Prosecutor uncovered that allegations of corruption against former President John Dramani Mahama had no basis.

The investigations revealed that neither the former president nor any government official received a bribe in the Airbus Scandal.

“The OSP found no evidentiary basis that suggests that Samuel Adam Foster also known as Samuel Adam Mahama, and Sarah Davies received payment from Airbus with the intention of bribing former President John Dramani Mahama or any other public official.

“Further, the OSP found no evidential basis that suggests that former President John Dramani Mahama or any other public official was paid bribes by Samuel Adam Foster also known as Samuel Adam Mahama in respect of the purchase of Government of Ghana military transport aircraft from Airbus,” Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng told the press on Thursday.