Richard Ahiagbah
Former President Nana Akufo-Addo has reportedly urged former government appointees not to flee the country, but rather stay and face any accountability process that will be initiated against them.
Richard Ahiagbah, the Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who revealed this, indicated in an interview with Accra-based Joy News that the party is committed to transparency and accountability.
“We [the NPP] have no record of running away; we’ll be here… our party has no history of our officials fleeing from accountability,” he stated.
His statement comes amidst the growing calls for accountability from the previous government and its appointees, some of whom have been accused of wrongdoing by the current administration.
Just last week, the Office of the Special Prosecutor declared former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, wanted after he allegedly failed to report to the Office in relation to ongoing investigations into certain contracts, including the release of funds for the construction of the National Cathedral.
The Office later rescinded its decision after his lawyers wrote to confirm that the former minister was under medical examination and had informed both the former and current Chief of Staff about his travel outside Ghana for medical reasons.
Mr. Ahiagbah, speaking in an interview, noted that former appointees of the previous government have been urged to stay and face accountability.
Pressed whether the former appointees are habouring the thought of leaving the jurisdiction, he said the NPP is not known for that, stating that it is rather the National Democratic Congress (NDC) appointees who are known for absconding in such situations.
He cited the case of former Chief Executive of Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, who absconded in the middle of a trial and has since been convicted and sentenced to prison for causing financial loss to the state and stealing funds belonging to the Centre during her tenure.
“We’ll deal with the issues here. It was the NDC members who ran away. My own sister, Sedina Tamakloe, disappeared. She was tried in absentia, but she ought to be here. Our party has no history of our officials fleeing from accountability,” he stated.
Mr. Ahiagbah also pointed out that the NPP remains focused on preparing for the 2028 elections, while ensuring that its members answer any questions regarding their time in government.
“Our preoccupation is how we get our party situated and contest the 2028 election. Matters to do with accountability—our people will be here to answer the questions,” he assured.
He further revealed that the former President has issued a directive for the former appointees to face accountability, noting that “There’s an effective commitment right from the former President himself. He has given a directive to ensure that our people are available to do that.”
“I just don’t want to go into the details of what he said, but there is that disposition from the former President—an indication to stay and make sure that you account for [your stewardship],” he added.
Defending the Akufo-Addo administration’s record, Mr. Ahiagbah expressed confidence that history will judge the government favourably.
“We came to do the best we can. And I believe that when the dust settles, Ghana will see what we have done for the eight years,” he said.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak