Adam and Yankey released from prison

Accra, Aug 28, GNA - The National Democratic Congress (NDC) said on Saturday that two of its members, who were released from prison after serving 16 months jail sentence each for their role in the Quality Grain project had been sacrificed for an honest and dedicated service to the state.

They are: Mr Ibrahim Adam, a former Minister of Agriculture and Dr George Yankey, former Director of Ministry of Finance. Mr Adam was released from Kumasi Prison while Dr Yankey was set free at the Koforidua Prison.

At a short ceremony to welcome Mr Adam who arrived in Accra this morning, Professor Evans Atta Mills, NDC Presidential Candidate said the two public officials did not deserve the punishment they had suffered after serving the country faithfully without amassing any wealth.

"My brothers, you have done nothing wrong. It was wrong you should pay such a price for your dedicated duties and great love for the country. History will judge you right," he said.

Prof Mills said the NPP Government had set a precedent that would continue to haunt it.

He said what Adam and Yankey went through should be a concern of public office holders who might be victimised in the course of the performance of their duties.

The two were sentenced for conspiring and wilfully causing financial loss of 22 million dollars and three billion cedis to the state.

The amount was guaranteed and advanced for the Quality Grain Company (QGC) project at Aveyime, in the Volta Region.

Dr Obed Asamoah, Chairman of NDC said Mr Ibrahim Adam and Mr George Yankey were victims of a political vendetta and a manipulation of the judiciary for political gain.

"This kind of victimisation should not be allowed to happen again," he said.

Dr Josiah Aryeh, General Secretary of NDC said the release of the two men "is a testimony that one could break the body but not the soul." Mr Adam said at 0230 hours on Saturday he was asked to leave the Kumasi Prison for a destination he did not know at the time but it turned out to be Accra.

He said he was handed over to a friend at the Ofankor Barrier, near Accra at 0700 hours.

Mr Kwamena Ahwoi, a leading member of the party said at the time Mr Adam was picked from the prison, party members, family and friends, who had gathered at the Kumasi Prison to await his release could not find him.