MP for South Dayi Constituency, Rockson Dafeamkpor says President Akufo-Addo cannot tout the dismissal of former PPA boss, James Adjenim Boateng Adjei as an achievement in the fight against corruption.

Mr Dafeamkpor explained that the President abused his powers by exercising discretion as he refused to dismiss Mr Boateng until the CHRAJ report came out.

"I can't congratulate Akufo-Addo on this. The initial evidence was sufficient for him [Adjenim Boateng] to have been sacked," he said on the Super Morning Show.

Events leading to Adjenim Boateng's dismissal

The Public Procurement Authority (PPA) boss, James Adjenim Boateng Adjei was dismissed following a CHRAJ report.

The report concluded that Mr Adjenim Boateng Adjei was guilty of conflict of interest while in office.

The report also stated he had abused his high office of trust, adding that “on the totality of the evidence, Mr. Adjenim Boateng Adjei had put himself in a position where his personal interests conflicted with the performance of his functions as CEO and Board Member of the PPA.”

Contract for sale

It will be recalled that Mr. Adjenim Boateng Adjei was suspended on August 22, 2019, by President Akufo-Addo, following the broadcast of some allegations made against him in an investigative documentary conducted by Manasseh Azure Awuni, titled “Contracts for Sale”.

In the documentary, Manasseh Azure Awuni revealed that a company Mr. Adjenim Boateng co-owned, had sold government contracts it won through single-source and restrictive tendering to the highest bidder.

In suspending him, President Nana Akufo-Addo also directed CHRAJ and the Office of the Special Prosecutor to investigate his appointee for conflict of interest and corruption.

Following findings from the CHRAJ committee tasked to investigate the matter, the PPA boss has been dismissed from office after he was found guilty.

His dismissal comes with a five year ban, which bars him from holding any public office.

Mr. Dafeamkpor, however, says the President delayed in applying the necessary sanctions.

He explained that, contrary to the labour laws, the President allowed Mr Adjenim Boateng to enjoy the full benefits of his office until the CHRAJ report was released.

"When the labour laws are very clear that, when an employee is an interdiction, he's supposed to earn half salary," he said.

"Once again, the President has protected his appointee," he added.