Anas petitions CHRAJ to investigate Ofori-Atta and Adu Boahen over conflict of interest
Investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas has filed a complaint on conflict of interest at the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), against Charles Adu Boahen, a former Minister of State at the Finance Ministry.
The petition is mainly against Charles Adu Boahen however, portions of the petition may require that CHRAJ will have to also probe Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, the finance minister for his dealings in the issuance of bonds in addition to investigating Charles Adu Boahen.
CHRAJ has confirmed to Graphic Online that a petition of that nature has been received, but it was yet to be studied to know the details, carry out an initial assessment to ensure that the complaint had been made through the right procedure and also to determine whether the mandate of the commission has been triggered.
Anas is alleging that Adu Boahen and his former boss engaged in conflict of interest in the use of their companies in relation to the purchase of government bonds while executing their duties as state officials.
The commissioner of CHRAJ, Joseph Whittal told Graphic Online’s Mary Anane Amponsah that CHRAJ received the documents on Thursday, from Tiger Eye PI, requesting the commission to initiate investigations into the said allegation.
The allegations are that there is conflict of interest in terms of their official duties as public officers and the companies in which they have interest in terms of government bonds and so the case is going through the standard process of assessment in order to make sure that it meets procedural requirement under the Commission’s regulation as well as whether it is really within the mandate of the Commission. Based on that, we will then decide what next steps to take,” CHRAJ said.
Charles Adu Boahen’s appointment as a Minister of State at the Finance Ministry was terminated by President Akufo-Addo last week following Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ “Galamsey Economy” exposé.
It followed allegations levelled against Charles Adu Boahen in the exposé by Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
Mr. Adu Boahen has however, denied being involved in any corrupt activity and said the documentary sought to entrap him.
Already, the Minority in Parliament has also accused the Finance Minister of conflict of interest as part of the justification for the censure motion against him.
During the Committee hearing, lawyers for Ken Ofori-Atta argued that any allegation of conflict of interest can only be investigated and within the purview of CHRAJ and therefore prayed for the Committee to strike out that allegation.
If CHRAJ finds it worth investigating, the accused persons would be required to appear before the antigraft institution to answer some questions in relation to the petition filed.
Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta is currently facing a censure motion by the Minority to remove him from office while 98 of the NPP MPs have declared a vote of no confidence in his ability to deliver on the mandate of Finance Minister.
As part of the demand for Ken Ofori-Atta to be sacked, the Minority said the Minister’s incompetence has resulted in the current poor state of the economy.
Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta has been accused of employing the services of a company he co-founded, Data Bank Financial Services – as advisors for some of Ghana’s international loan transactions.
Black Star Brokerage, a company belonging to Charles Adu Boahen has also been accused of benefitting from transactions on government bond issuance.
Both companies have allegedly been acting as financial advisors and Bond Market Specialists to the Ministry of Finance.
