GhanaPoliticsOnline.Com
President John Mahama has responded to allegations of bribery, abuse of office and conflict of interest after he received a 2010 Ford Explorer from a foreign contractor as gift.
The President says the allegations are baseless and politically motivated to stifle his chances for a second term in the upcoming November 7 general elections.
“The allegation of corruption is baseless. Baseless accusations won’t win you the Presidency. Ghanaians are discerning and I believe come November 7, they will make their decision,” the President told his accusers. He said these while addressing a gathering of National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters at Ashaiman in the Greater Accra Region as part of his ‘Accounting to the People Tour’ of the region.
He said the politically motivated allegations will not wash because it is God who selects leaders.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) at a press conference Wednesday accused President Mahama of abuse of office, bribery and conflict of interest for receiving the vehicle from Burkinabe Contractor, Djibril Kanazoe.
Mr Kanazoe had previously been awarded two contracts by the state. He was in line for a third one when he voluntarily withdrew following the revelations.
The main opposition NPP, civil society organisations and legal experts have descended on the President since the Joy News’ exposé into the gift for what they say violates laws governing public office holders.
“The President who is personally and directly involved in this bribery allegation has thus far refused to speak on matter, choosing, instead, to let his paid spokespersons. My message to His Excellency the President is this: Mr. President, please speak on your own behalf and in your own defense! The giver, your friend, has confessed that he has given his friend in government who has since helped him to secure government contracts a gift of a sports utility vehicle,” Acting chairman of the NPP Freddie Blay said at the Wednesday press conference.
In what seems like a quick response, the President says any person or group that is convinced that he has violated the law can resort to the Constitution and proceed with the stipulated steps for redress.
The Convention Peoples Party (CPP) and a private citizen have meanwhile far petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) for a probe.
The NPP has also called for a Parliamentary inquiry into the allegations.
Minority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu has said his MPs will begin a process to build consensus on instituting a by-partisan probe into revelations that President Mahama received the gift.
