The Director of Conflict Resolution of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Abraham Amaliba has said the agreement reached between the Police and pro-government pressure group Fixing The Country Movement to protest at the residence of former President John Dramani Mahama sets a dangerous precedent.
He said it opens the floodgates for people to demonstrate at the private residences of other persons.
“That is dangerous, the floodgates will be open, tomorrow somebody will also say he is going to demonstrate to Kufuor’s house. I think the letter is a clear indication that the Police is in Bed with them,” he said on the Big Issue on TV3 on Friday, October 20.
The Police have agreed on a new date for the planned protest by the pro-government pressure group, Fixing The Country Movement.
The new date for the protest is November 16.
In a letter written to the Convener of the group Ernest Owusu-Bempah on Thursday, October 19, the Accra Regional Police Command said it “acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 29/09/2023 on the above subject matter. Pursuant to a meeting held between you and the Police on 17/10/2023 at the Regional Police Headquarters, Accra. It was agreed that; The date for the demonstration has expired and a new date 16/11/2023 has been scheduled.
“You will converge at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park and proceed to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) where a petition shall be presented. You will then move along the route through the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GD) to the Fire Service Headquarters Traffic Intersection, to Aliu Mahama Junction, Cantonments Post Office and proceed to the Office of the Former President H.E. John Dramani Mahama where a second petition will be presented.
“The Command kindly requests you to submit a new letter confirming the date and the route per our discussion.”
Earlier, the group wrote to former President John Dramanai Mahama officially informing him of their planned picketing of his office on Thursday 16th, November 2023 over the Airbus scandal.
In the letter, Covener of the Fixing The Country Movement, Ernest Owusu-Bempah said they have been on the heels of the Office of the Special Prosecutor for urgent action on the Airbus SE corruption case, which he said, the name of the former president featured prominently.
“The European aircraft manufacturer has admitted paying bribes in Ghana when it sold three-military aircraft to the country dating back to 2009 -2015 when you were in full control of governance.
“As a matter of fact, the company admitted hiring your brother, Adam Mahama as its consultant in the sale of the aircraft,” the letter written to Mr Mahama said.
Below is the full letter:
His Excellency John Dramani Mahama,
Former President of Ghana
Cantonment-Accra
PRESENTATION OF PETITION ON THE AIRBUS CORRUPTION
Please accept the compliment of the entire membership of The Fixing The Country Movement.
Your Excellency, I write on behalf of the Fixing The Country Movement to officially bring to your attention that we intend to officially petition your good office on Thursday 16th, November 2023 at exactly 10am.
As you may be aware, Fixing The Country Movement has been on the heels of the Office of the Special Prosecutor for an urgent action on the Airbus SE corruption, which your name featured prominently.
The European aircraft manufacturer has admitted paying bribes in Ghana when it sold three-military aircraft to the country dating back to 2009 -2015 when you were in full control of governance.
As a matter of fact, the company admitted hiring your brother, Adam Mahama as its consultant in the sale of the aircraft.
Indeed, the €35 million involved in the purchase of the aircraft as at the time was equivalent to $40 million and I am wondering why Ghana should spend $40 million to buy an aircraft that was selling at $25 million on the market.
Respectfully Sir, everyone who is privy to the core details of the series of court documents published by the Department of Justice (DOJ) of the United States and the Serious Fraud Office.
(SFO) of the United Kingdom cannot allege ignorance of the persons who have brought our nation into this international shame.
The Fixing The Country Movement has every reason to believe that government official 1 codenamed in the US court documents is no other person than your good self.
Whereas we do not doubt the competence of our investigative authorities to get to the bottom of this massive international corruption, we’re not enthused at the nonchalant attitude being deployed on the Airbus corruption – Hence, our petition to the OSP.
We are also fortified by the knowledge that as a former president, and someone running for office again, you will avail yourself soon to clear the air on the Airbus corruption.
Indeed, you owe it to the good people of Ghana who reposed their confidence in you as president for 4 years.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Ernest Kofi Owusu Bempah (Convener – Fixing The Country Movement)
CC:
Ghana Police Service
Great Accra Police Command