Journalists in trouble over 'per diem' story

GhanaWeb Writer 'Oyoo Busanga' Is Wanted Accra, Oct. 14, GNA - Police said on Friday that they have questioned two editors of the Chronicle newspaper in their investigations into the motive behind a publication on per diem in its Thursday edition. Police said in a statement that they had interviewed Mr. Kojo Omaboe and Mr Jonathan Ato Kobbie at the CID headquarters to assist to identify the writer of the article, William Antwi, alias Oyoo Busanga, who was alleged to be domiciled in the US. The article was headlined "The President and his per diem allowance = 'Legalised stealing.'" The statement said the two journalists were so far cooperating in the investigations and were also conducting their own investigations as to how the story posted on Ghanaweb was published in their paper. The police said a docket would be referred to the Attorney-General's office for advice after police investigations. The statement said checks made at the Auditor-General's Department in respect of per diem paid to public servants, including the President on official trips abroad indicated that all inclusive allowances for persons attending conferences/seminars abroad were paid per diem according to the position of the officer and the destination. "These allowances range from 70 dollars to a maximum of 478.80 dollars. Records available also show that in respect of the presidential delegation session of the General Conference of UNESCO in Paris, France, from September 30 to October 9, 2005, the approval rates, which range from 70 dollars to 478.80 dollars per person per day were used." The police said they were reminding the public that it was an offence to "publish or reproduce any information or statement, rumour which is likely to cause fear and alarm to the public knowing or having reason to believe that the statement, rumour, report is false".