Member of Parliament for the Ketu South Constituency says President Akufo-Addo has no business determining whether the Auditor-General takes leave or not.

Fiifi Kwetey said the office of the Auditor-General is an independent body that must be allowed to operate without any form of interference, especially from government, and must be treated as such.

“Even if he had accumulated 1,000 days, it is not the business of the president to decide on that,” he said Saturday on Joy News’ Newsfile show.

His comments come after president Akufo-Addo ordered the Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo to take an accumulated leave of 123 days which has now been extended to 167 days.

The presidency explained that the order is in accordance with sections 20 (1) and 31 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), which apply to workers, including public office holders such as the Auditor-General.

Although the President has justified the move with the Constitution, Mr Kwetey believes the move is to the shield the Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Marfo from being investigated by Mr Domelevo.

Mr Osafo Marfo has disputed the claims, however, the matter is still being investigated by the Auditor-General’s department.

Citing this and other investigations by Mr Domelevo who was appointed by the Mahama administration, Mr Kwetey, said government is moving to oust Auditor-General for “not playing ball with it”. 

“The problem with Mr Domelevo is that he is not playing ball of government. The President has no business with him taking leave, therefore, he must be allowed to work freely without any interference,” he said.