7 things we learned on Newsfile: Agyeman-Manu, Ken Ofori-Atta could be in prison for 5 years

Health Minister Kwaku Agyeman Manu and Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta are at the center of the Sputnik V vaccine scandal in which Ghana struck a deal with Sheikh Dalmook Al Maktoum for the supply of vaccines. But the vaccines never arrived despite the controversial payment of $ 2.85 million.

Newsfile discussed the report of the nine-member ad hoc parliamentary committee set up to investigate the murky Sputnik V vaccine purchase deal, which did not recommend the resignation or dismissal of the health minister despite outcry public.

The show also focused on the saga of the $ 200 million Saglemi housing project, as documents filed in court on behalf of the attorney general allege that the contractor who executed the Saglemi project was paid 179 million dollars despite carrying out work valued at $ 64 million. In addition, out of 2,172 acres of land ceded to the contractor, he only developed 651.75 acres.

Meanwhile, the attorney general said none of the 668 completed units were habitable, creating a situation where none were purchased with the loan facility remaining unpaid and causing huge financial loss to the state.

1. There are two laws in Ghana. Ordinary popular law and powerful popular law

Picking up where he last left off in the Sputnik vaccine scandal, IMANI Vice President Kofi Bentil joined the administration led by Akuffo-Addo, accusing him of selective justice.

He said that Ghana is governed by two types of laws – “the law of the ordinary people and the law of the mighty people” – and because the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, reports to the latter, he does not there will be no consequence for his decision.

“If the minister were subject to the laws of Ghana, he would not be at home,” he said. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu has taken a two-week leave as pressure mounts on the president to sack him.

2. There is anger there – Bentil fears for the future of democracy in Ghana

The lawyer and political analyst expressed fears about the fate of Ghanaian democracy, explaining that young people are increasingly disillusioned with governments over the years and with growing impunity.

He took out his badges as a fighter for democracy in the era of the PNDC, a military junta led by Flt. Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings who overthrew the Limann government and truncated the Third Republic.

“There is a generation that does not appreciate what we have gone through to achieve constitutional democracy.”

“There is a generation out there that doesn’t understand where we came from to have our democracy,” referring to the time when pro-democracy activists pushed for a return to multiparty democracy in 1992.

But weighing the gains and losses, Bentil asked, “Did we get anything? “

While asserting that a return to military rule should not be considered, he stressed that “democracies are fragile things”, which is why political leaders must show commitment to good governance and rule of law.

3. Ghana’s most searched letter

After days of criticizing the Minister of Health in the Sputnik V vaccine scandal, the role of Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has received special attention, especially after the Minister of Health said during the parliamentary inquiry that “to the best of” his knowledge, no money had been paid to Sheik Al Maktoum.

It turns out he had been paid. Who authorized the payment? Ministry of Finance. Where is the letter asking for payment of the money? Martin Kpebu questioned.

Whoever signed this letter has questions to answer. But, most likely, it would be the Minister of Finance or the director general of the department who, if he signed, would act on the minister’s orders.

“Do you have it?” Martin Kpebu asked Afenyo Markins, who was the chairman of the parliamentary committee that investigated the matter.

“It has never been presented to your committee,” he dared Afenyo Markins to confirm if his committee had ever seen a letter asking for payment.

Afenyo Markins has remained silent on this letter.

4. Agyeman Manu could spend five years in prison

The opposition NDC’s national communications official, Sammy Gyamfi, has come up with a law to nail the embattled health minister on this “clearly indefensible case”.

He cited Article 96 (1a) of the Public Financial Management Law (2016) under the heading Offenses and Sanctions.

(1) A person, acting in an office or employment connected with the acquisition or control of government stores, or the collection, management or disbursement of money in respect of a public fund or of a public trust that

(a) makes an unauthorized commitment resulting in a financial obligation for the government,

(c) is responsible for any improper payment of public funds or payment of money which is not properly verified in accordance with existing procedures,

commits an offense and is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for not less than six months and not more than five years or to a fine of not less than one hundred penalty units and ‘at most two thousand five hundred penalty units or both.

Sammy Gyamfi argued that in this Sputnik vaccine, the two ministers violated (a) when they engaged the country in an “illegal” deal that did not have the approval of Parliament or the Markets Authority public.

The NDC man said the finance minister, in particular, violated (c) when his ministry made an “unwarranted payment) to Sheikh Al Maktoum.

Sammy Gyamfi concluded that these two ministers could face up to five years in prison for violating the PFMA.

5. CSOs have become too important because parliament seems to be on the pace

Kofi Bentil has also taken Parliament over his weak oversight responsibility over the executive as he examines the housing scandal in Saglemi.

He said when it comes to serving as a check on the executive; civil society organizations seem to play the role better than parliament. “CSOs have become too important because parliament doesn’t always seem to be on the pace,” he said. The lawyer noted that several important decisions taken by Parliament are under critical scrutiny.

6. That’s why Parliament needs a budget office

Solidaire Ghana member Harry Yamson called on parliament to set up a budget office to track funds it approves for the executive to spend. NPP MP for Effutu Afenyo Markins nodded in approval.

7. Ghana has a national housing policy – picking up the dust

Harry Yamson has expressed his sadness at the debasement of government policy and public funds. He focused on the national housing policy drafted in 2013 and launched in 2015. But it is gathering dust, he said.

He said the policy was aimed at increasing access to low-income housing for the poor, women, the physically disabled and improving slums. Plans to incentivize local real estate development companies.

“We still do not have meaningful local participation” and “ask me which slums have been improved? ” he said.

“Why would you want a policy to stay in place for six years and not make it work? He expressed his disappointment.

Mr. Yamson noted that the national housing policy had eight policy goals, 50 policy initiatives and eight special initiatives.

He said Saglemi’s $ 200 million real estate saga is an example of wasting public funds and unnecessary governments. “We are not concerned with solving governance issues,” he said.

Fellow Solidaire Ghana argued that Ghana could have solved the social housing problem for $ 32 million without the lack of priorities.

“People should ask our political leaders questions, why this $ 32 million to spend on vehicles but not $ 32 million on social housing? It is wrong.”

Increase access for the poor, improve slums. Ask me which slums have been improved.

The handbag has become a soccer ball.