M&J scandal: Baba Kamara, others must go

Kwame Peprah, others must go

Listen to the attached audio for Vitus Azeem's comments© Copyright myjoyonline

Anti-corruption campaigner, Vitus Azeem has hailed the resignation of two ministers over the Mabey & Johnson bribery scandal.

He however wants more others who have been cited in the case and who are serving in other public capacities to follow the example of the two ministers.

The Executive Director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative told Joy News' Bernard Saibu it was good the president listened to calls by civil society to act decisively on the matter.

According to him, President Mills' referral of the matter to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) for further investigations was also a step in the right direction.

He said if the investigations prove that the persons cited stand guilty as charged in the case, then the president must prosecute them without delay.

UK construction firm, Mabey & Johnson named some Ghanaian public officials as having received bribes when the company operated in Ghana in the 1990s.

The bribes were meant to influence the award of contracts to the company during the period.

Based on the company's own confession, a court in that country convicted it of fraudulently bribing foreign public officials in contravention of UK laws.

Since the conviction, civil society organizations in Ghana have called for the heads of the named public officials including Dr George Sipa-Yankey, resigned Health Minister, Alhaji Seidu Amadu, former Minister of State, Mr Kwame Peprah, former Finance Minister, Alhaji Baba Kamara, Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Alhaji Boniface Abubakar Saddique, former Works and Housing Minister and many others.

The president instructed the Attorney-General to go to UK and gather the necessary facts to enable him take a firm decision on the matter.
Following Mrs Betty-Mould Iddrisu's return from London Wednesday night, a meeting was held on Thursday at which the president reportedly requested Dr Sipa Yankey and Alhaji Seidu to resign.

They responded immediately.
Now Mr Vitus Azeem of the GII, is advocating the other accused persons who are serving on boards to also resign and save the government the unnecessary distraction.

Story by Malik Abass Daabu/Myjoyonline/Ghana