On African Union Day, May 25, 2024, The Key Points show for the first time in a while, had a female guest.
She is in the person of former broadcaster, Naa Ayeley Ardayfio. Now Mrs Sekyere appeared on the programme as the Senior Officer in charge of Public Relations at the Trades Union Congress (TUC).
The issues discussed are:
- SSNIT justifies sale of shares in 4 hotels to Bryan Acheampong.
- Prez. Akufo-Addo releases full KPMG report on SML-GRA deal.
- Minority Leader’s trial in ambulance purchase case takes dramatic turn.
Here are 15 Key Points from the show on May 25.
1. Akufo-Addo must be commended for acting on The Fourth Estate’s report – NPP MP
Amidu Issahaku Chinnia, the Deputy Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources and MP for Sissala East, has said Ghanaians must commend President Nana Akufo-Addo for acting swiftly on the Fourth Estate’s ‘The GHC3 billion Lie’ documentary that unearthed irregularities in the contract between GRA and SML.
According to him, although aspects of the deal had some procedural breaches, it was in the interest of the state as regards revenue mobilisation.
Commenting on the release of the full KPMG audit report, Mr Chinnia among other things, justified KPMG’s failure to engage Mr Manasseh Azure in its investigations.
“When you look at reports that came up it was established that the need for an entity to monitor the system was a necessity but the contracting procedure of course, has some challenges when you look at excerpts of the report that we have.”
“I feel that we must commend the President for taking Manasseh’s report and acting on it, he said, adding that “all what Manasseh wanted to expose about the deal was contained in his expose.”
According to him, the documentary in itself was enough evidence for the accounting and auditing firm, KPMG to rely on, saying that the content of the documentary, “is just like talking to him [Manasseh]”.
2. KPMG’s failure to interview Manasseh Azure takes away from credibility of report – Kpebu
Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has cast doubt on the credibility of KPMG’s audit report on the revenue assurance contract between Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML).
He said KPMG should have engaged the lead investigator in The Fourth Estate expose, Manasseh Azure Awuni.
He said the report was skewed in favour of the government and SML because KPMG did not engage key stakeholders for their input.
President Akufo-Addo, in January this year, commissioned the accounting and auditing firm to audit the GRA-SML contract following the Fourth Estate’s documentary titled ‘The GHC3 billion lie’ released in December 2023. The documentary unearthed some irregularities in the agreement between GRA and SML.
KPMG submitted its full report to the President on March 27, which was later released to the public by the presidency on Wednesday, May 22, after several calls from anti-corruption civil society organisations.
According to the audit findings, SML received a total of GH¢1,061,054,778.00 from 2018 to date [January 2, 2024] whilst partially fulfilling its obligations.
More details from the full report have revealed damning irregularities in a multi-year contract agreement between the state entity and SML.
However, the human rights lawyer and anti-graft campaigner expressed dissatisfaction with KPMG for neglecting the input of Manasseh Azure, the lead investigator of the documentary.
3. Ambulance purchase trial: A-G cannot take advantage of plea bargaining by 3rd accused to implicate Ato Forson – Prof Appiagyei-Atua
Professor of law at the University of Ghana School of Law, Professor Kwabena Appiagyei-Atua, has said the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Dame Yeboah, cannot take advantage of plea-bargain law to implicate Dr Cassiel Ato Forson in the ongoing ambulance purchase trial.
According to Prof Appiagyei-Atua, there is something odd about the approach of the A-G in seeking to use plea-bargain sought by the third accused, Richard Jakpa, to implicate the former Deputy Minister of Finance.
The third accused person, who was under cross-examination in court on Thursday, made claims that the A-G has been engaging him at odd hours to make a case against the first accused, Dr. Ato Forson.
Prof. Appiagyei-Atua said, “Based on what the third accused is saying, there seems to be something which is odd about the whole process because [plea-bargaining] is not supposed to be imposed.”
“It should be at the free will of the parties, one cannot impose on the other and so if it is the Attorney-General that is suggesting for a plea bargain, it should come freely from the accused person to accept it and then they negotiate the terms.”
Although Prof. Appiagyei-Atua affirmed that plea bargaining comes in different forms such as getting a lesser sentence for an accused person or making a case stronger against another accused person, it should not be imposed on either party.
“The evidence that the other party can give you say that okay we will give you a lesser punishment if you testify against this person or if you don’t present some other issues, it will make the case stronger against any of the other parties involved, but this is not imposed,” he said.
4. Attorney-General has a strong case against Ato Forson; he doesn’t need Jakpa’s support – Dep Minister
Attorney-General (A-G) Godfred Dame has a strong case against the Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson in court, therefore, does not need the support of the third accused in the case Richard Jakpa to prosecute, Member of Parliament for Sissala East, Amidu Issahaku Chinnia, has said.
In his view, if the claim of A-G trying to get the 3rd accused to implicate Ato Forson is established it will only amount to professional conduct.
Mr Chinnia said the claim that the Attorney-General sought the support of Jakpa to make a case against Ato Forson does not affect the substantive matter before the court.
“This issue is about the professional conduct of Dame if it is established that he tried to influence the accused, it doesn’t go into the merit of the substantive case in court.
“The substantive matter is about the contract that the govt signed and how the terms of the contract were applied. The Attorney-General has a strong case and does not need the support of the third accuse,” he said.
5. If Jakpa’s claim against Dame is established, it’ll just be a professional issue, it doesn’t affect the substantive case – MP
Member of Parliament for Sissala East, Amidu Issahaku Chinnia, has said that the claim made against Attorney-General Godfred Dame by Richard Jakpa, the third accused person in the case against Ato Forson, will just amount to a professional conduct if it is established.
He said the claim that the Attorney-General sought the support of Jakpa to make a case against Ato Forson does not affect the substantive matter before the court.
“This issue is about the professional conduct of Dame if it is established that he tried to influence the accused, it doesn’t go into the merit of the substantive case in court.
“The substantive matter is about the contract that the govt signed and how the terms of the contract were applied. The Attorney-General has a strong case and does not need the support of the third accuse,” he said.
6. Ato Forson trial: NDC is just diverting attention; the real facts are before the court – NPP MP
Member of Parliament for Sissala East, Amidu Issahaku Chinnia, has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of seeking to divert attention from the real issues in the case against the Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.
Mr Chinnia indicated that the real facts are before the court.
“The facts are before the court, the NDC is only using the statement of the third accused to divert attention from the real issue,” he said.
He added, “If it is established that the A-G called the accused then it will be a professional issue, it has nothing to do with the substantive issue.”
7. We’ll report Godfred Dame to GLC and later prosecute him for fabrication of a crime – Sammy Gyamfi
The National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Sammy Gyamfi has accused Attorney-General Godfred Dame of fabrication of a crime against the Minority Leader Dr Cassie Ato Forson.
He accused the A-G of falsifying the testimonies of Richard Jakpa, an accused person so that he could incriminate Ato Forson.
Sammy Gyamfi further said Godfred Dame could not utter a word when a revelation was made that he asked Richard Jakpa to help him to make a case against the Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson in the ambulance trial.
Sammy Gyamfi said that Godfred Dame shivered when the revelation was made and could not even call for the comment to be struck out from the court’s record.
“Godfred Dame will not only be the only first A-G to be reported to the General Legal Council (GLC) but he will also be prosecuted for fabrication of a crime,” he said.
8. Ato Forson trial: It’s Jakpa’s word against A-G’s word, let the tapes flow – Kpebu
Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has said that the supposed tapes that capture the alleged meeting where the Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson is reported to have pleaded that the case against him should be dropped, should be released in order to settle this matter.
Kpebu urged all the parties claiming to possess video tapes to expedite the release of those tapes.
“It has now become his [Jakpa] word against the words of the Attorney-General, the tapes should come out, so we settle this matter.
“Hurry up and bring out the tapes so we settle this matter,” he said.
9. Sale of SSNIT Hotels: There is everything wrong with it – Ablakwa
North Tongu Member of Parliament Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has told the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to be swift in handling the petition that he filed against the move to sell the hotels belonging to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).
Mr Ablakwa said time is of the essence hence the need for the probe to be expedited.
“Time is of the essence so CHRAJ must expedite the probe,” he said.
He states that there is everything wrong with the move to sell the hotels.
Ablakwa has petitioned against the sale of six hotels including Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Elmina Beach Resort, Ridge Royal Hotel, Busua Beach Resort, and the Trust Lodge Hotel to the lawmaker who is also the Minister of Food and Agriculture Bryan Acheampong.
10. Sale of SSNIT Hotels: Tell me which law has been broken – NPP MP
Member of Parliament for Sissala East, Amidu Issahaku Chinnia, has said that no law has been broken by anyone in the move to sell the hotels belonging to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).
He dared any person who is against the sale of the hotels to point out the law that has been broken.
“I am fully in support of any action that will make SSNIT viable and that contributions of workers will be protected, I am in support of it. But the transaction was approved by the Board of SSNIT, the procurement processes were followed, so tell me which law has been broken,” he said.
11. Sale of shares in SSNIT hotels: I wish CHRAJ will expedite action on my petition – Ablakwa
The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa has appealed to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to expedite action on his petition against the sale of shares in 4 hotels owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to a company owned by the Agric Minister, Bryan Acheampong.
Mr Ablakwa said this is necessary because he has information that the transaction is being actualised despite his petition.
“Let me confirm that I have received a formal response from CHRAJ (Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice) and they have indicated that they will act on this matter. My only hope is that they will act with expedition because available communications indicate the SSNIT is proceeding with the transaction despite the petition,” he said.
Mr Ablakwa alleged that he has information to the effect that Mr Acheampong has been seen at the Elmina Beach Resort inspecting the facilities.
“I have a letter here written by the Chief of Elmina to the Chief of Staff indicating that the land on which the hotel is situated belongs to them. He wrote that he has seen Bryan Acheampong on the premises of the hotel inspecting facilities and that if the hotel is sold to a private person, then they have to be compensated,” he explained.
12. Sale of SSNIT hotels: I have a problem with inconsistency of Ablakwa and NDC – MP
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) does not have the moral right to be talking about the move to sell hotels belonging to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Member of Parliament for Sissala East, Amidu Issahaku Chinnia, has said.
He recollected that during the tenure of the NDC with Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa who had petitioned for the SSNIT hotel sale to be probed, as a Deputy Minister, owners of a South African Bank came to Ghana and offered $91 million Dollars for Merchant Bank when the bank was put up for sale, but the NDC sold to another company that bid $44.4 million.
“I have a problem with NDC inconsistencies, that is what have a problem with. During the term of the NDC and John Mahama with Okudzeto Ablakwa as Deputy Minister, when they were selling Merchant Bank, a South African Bank came with 91 million Dollars but they rejected it and sold to a company with 44.4 million dollars.
“The sale of these hotels, there is no evidence that the process leading to where we are today has not been in conformity to the law. Was it not the same Ablakwa who was calling for judgment debt to be paid to Isofoton? He said.
13. Sale of SSNIT hotels: We should all be interested in the issues – TUC
A senior officer in charge of Public Relations at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Naa Ayeley Ardayfio Sekyere, has said the move to sell the hotels of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) should concern everybody.
She stated that SSNIT issues affect every single Ghanaian.
“All of us should be interested in the issue of the sale of SSNIT hotels. This deal hasn’t gone through yet, but we are all seeing the move to push it through quickly,” she said.
She added “There is no way organized labour will let anything slip through when it’s not in the interest of workers.”
14. Audit report on SML-GRA deal: President Akufo-Addo chose KPMG on purpose – Kpebu
President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo chose KPMG to conduct the audit on the revenue mobilisation contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) on purpose.
Martin Luther Kpebu, a private legal practitioner who made the comment thinks KPMG was soft on SML, considering the fact that the report did not quantify the losses that were incurred in executing the contract.
According to him, the President, having in mind the relationship between government and KPMG, contracted them to undertake the audit in order not to fully unearth the perceived rot shrouded in the deal, just as the report’s failure to quantify the losses the state made.
During his analysis following the release of the full report by the Presidency, Mr. Kpebu held that, rather than the losses the state incurred, the President was more focused on the benefits, drifting attention from the profitability or otherwise of the contract.
“Today, we have to look at what we’ve lost. You see that the report, though very soft on SML… and of course, you can understand why the President chose KPMG, because they know that government has dealings with KPMG, so KPMG will be very charitable when it comes to the most critical part of the report, which is the loss. So, you see that they’ve not quantified the loss. And going through the report, you see that the terms of reference, they didn’t actually talk about quantifying losses,” the renowned lawyer indicated.
He complained that “rather, the President was interested in benefits which are not properly articulated. So for me, it’s clear that we should be looking at getting the losses together and do a prosecution, because the report admits that there are parts that SML did not deliver,” he added.
15. Ablakwa disappointed in Akufo-Addo for being silent over sale of SSNIT hotels to Agric Minister
North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has said he is surprised President Akufo-Addo has been quiet over the SSNIT hotels-Bryan Acheampong matter since the issue became public.
He says the President, having cautioned his appointees against making business in public office, should have reaction to the brouhaha since it became topical.
During the swearing-in ceremony of his newly appointed ministers, the President reiterated his position that his administration is not an avenue for profit-making, and admonished the appointees to leave a legacy of service.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ablakwa averred that he is disappointed in the President that Bryan Acheampong is breaching his directive to his appointees, but he has failed to comment on it.
“It is President Akufo-Addo who told us, not too long ago, that he cautioned all his appointees that those who want to make money, those who want to do business and be big time entrepreneurs, they should stay in the private sector, that his government is not a money-making venture. What has happened to that?
“That is why I am disappointed that even more than a week since we raised this matter, the President can step in… these are all his appointees who are breaching his own directive to them which he told us publicly. They have blatantly broken it,” he lamented.
Note: With additional files from Laud Nartey, Felix Anim-Appau and Emmanuel Kwarteng.
