Audio By Carbonatix
The Editor of the New Crusading Guide newspaper is mocking what government spokespersons describe as a sunlight campaign on judgment debt.
Malik Kweku Baako Jnr said the government “scored an own goal” in their futile attempt to rope in the New Patriotic Party flagbearer Nana Akufo-Addo in the controversial judgment debt saga.
On Monday, a team of government officials led by a deputy Information Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa brought out two letters written by Nana Addo- one as Attorney General in 2001 and the other as NPP flagbearer in 2011- justifying the claims of a Swiss Company Great Cape for an outstanding settlement of over a million dollars.
The company had its contract to supply clinker to the government of Ghana in 1978 breached and has been asking for settlement.
In 1997, the then NDC government paid an amount of $927,000 in what was expected to be the final payment of the debt owed the company which had Dr Nat Tanoh as a local representative.
But Great Cape returned with a petition that the interest accrued on the debt was miscalculated and were still owed a little over a million dollars.
The petition was accepted by the Attorney General under the NDC led government in 1999 before it lost power. When the NPP assumed the reins of power, the then Attorney General Nana Addo scrutinsed the petition and agreed with his predecessor that the claims being made by the Swiss company was legitimate and wrote to the Finance Ministry to make payments.
Somehow, the monies were not paid during the eight year tenure of the NPP and the company is making demands of the Mills led government to pay. But the government said it had no documentation on the matter and asked the company to seek the authentication of the 2001 letter written by Nana Addo.
That informed Nana Addo's 2011 letter as flagbearer of the NPP.
Okudzeto Ablakwa noted at the press conference the NPP flagbearer cannot privately write letters asking for companies to be paid judgement debts only to publicly criticize the payment.
That he said was insincere and hypocritical.
On Joy FM and MultiTV Newsfile programme, Saturday, Felix Kwakye-Ofosu who is a member of the government communications minced no words in describing Nana Addo as being highly hypocritical on the issue of judgment debts.
According to him, Nana Addo and his running mate Dr Bawumia as well as other spokespersons of the NPP have created the impression that judgment debt payment is tantamount to corruption, vowing never to pay such debt if they are voted into power.
He argued they cannot wage this public campaign against payment of judgment debts only to come back “nicodemously” and “on the quiet” write letters asking for judgment debts to be paid to private companies.
He also found it disconcerting that the NPP will accuse government functionaries of fronting for private companies to dupe the country when their only crime was that they put out the bare facts of a case.
“Is it possible to set out the facts even if it supports a private company, without being labeled a PRO of the company," he stated.
He said the NPP must be fair and consistent in their approach in dealing with this judgment debt saga, insisting the only way forward is for the NPP to be non-partisan, critically analyse the issue and proffer solution.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
AG formally requests extradition of Ofori-Atta, Ernest Akore to face charges
8 minutes -
Ofori-Atta’s return to face justice now in US hands, says Ayine
9 minutes -
EU leaders face crunch decision on loaning Russia’s frozen cash to Ukraine
19 minutes -
JoyBusiness Review 2025: GoldBod a ‘game changer’ for Ghana’s economy – Dalex Finance CEO
28 minutes -
JoyBusiness Review 2025: Praise for GoldBod is premature without answers on illegal gold – Tax Consultant
32 minutes -
UniMAC, AKUNA sign MoU to deliver hands on industry training for students
39 minutes -
‘The Gods Are Not To Blame’ returns in tribute to theatre legend Mawuli Semevo
45 minutes -
Ghana’s economy must transition from stability to growth in 2026 – Joe Jackson
49 minutes -
Photos: Interior Minister opens Upper West Regional Police Headquarters
51 minutes -
JoyBusiness Review 2025: Prof. Quartey applauds goldbod market sanitization and export benefits
58 minutes -
9 forest reserves reclaimed from illegal miners – Forestry Commission
1 hour -
2026 FIFA World Cup: GFA not ruling out possible return of injured Abu Francis
1 hour -
JoyBusiness Review 2025: Banks must increase lending to agriculture despite risks – Prof. Quartey
1 hour -
Koforidua High Court dismisses petition challenging Suhum MP’s election
1 hour -
NSA raises alarm over rejection of National Service Personnel by user agencies
1 hour
