�Prosecute Woyome�s Collaborators�

The Progressive People�s Party (PPP) has called on President John Dramani Mahama to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate and prosecute those whose actions led to the payment of monies to NDC financier, Alfred Agbesi Woyome. The call comes in the wake of the ruling by an 11-member panel of the Supreme Court last week presided over by the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship, Georgina Theodora Woode, to the effect that Mr. Woyome refunds the GH�51.2 million fraudulently paid to him as judgment debt. In a statement signed and copied to Today over the weekend, National Secretary of PPP, Kofi Asamoah-Siaw, congratulated the Chief Justice and her colleague Judges for protecting the interest of the nation. �The Progressive People�s Party (PPP) wishes to congratulate the Chief Justice, Mrs. Georgina Theodora Woode, and her 11-member panel for saving Ghana from the mortification and thievery created by Alfred Agbesi Woyome , the man who deserves to be prosecuted for illegitimately pilfering what he did not deserve,� the statement said. The Supreme Court ruling, according to the PPP, gives credence to Article 1(1) of the 1992 Constitution, adding �the Sovereignty of Ghana resides in the people of Ghana in whose name and for whose welfare the powers of government are to be exercised in the manner and within the limits laid down in this Constitution.� It also extended its congratulations to the former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Martin Lamisi Amidu, for safeguarding the interest of the nation at the peril of his life and job. In the estimation of the Supreme Court, the statement said, the monies which were paid to Mr. Woyome were done without recourse to legal procedures. It would be recalled that in 2006, government of Ghana contracted Waterville Holdings Limited whose local representative was Mr. Woyome for the construction of stadia for CAN 2008. As a political party, the PPP stated, it is at a loss as to how the claim started in the first place, �what efforts were made to establish the legality of the claim, who gave approval for payment to be made, how was settlement negotiated and finally which laws were followed in discharging such official responsibilities?� While the PPP wants President Mahama to ensure the prosecution of all those who aided in the payment, the party also challenged the president to retrieve all monies paid to Mr. Woyome. That, the statement said, will let Ghanaians know President Mahama is ready to fight corruption. �The PPP wishes to categorically reiterate that being in government is not one�s self-interest and abuse of power but about dedicated service to God and country,� the statement noted. According to the statement, the action of Mr. Amidu brings to the fore the sense of urgency required to establish an Independent Prosecutor�s office separate from the Ministry of Justice. �We want a separation of the Attorney General�s Department from the Ministry of Justice to make the Attorney General completely independent of the executive, to ensure accountability from elected dictatorship in the body politics of the country,� the PPP submitted. �We further demand this separation so that corrupt officials would not acquire political party cards as an insurance cover against prosecution,� it added. It went on to demand the immediate resignation of the Member of Parliament for Cape Coast North and First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Barton-Odro. Mr. Barton-Odro, the PPP said, was on record of playing a very significant role that put the State in complete danger in his handling of the unwarranted claims by Waterville Holdings Limited. �Hon. Barton-Odro was on record to have defended his actions not to defend the Republic of Ghana as Deputy Attorney-General to the effect that the State did not have a defence against Waterville Holdings,� the statement recounted. A resignation from him, the statement noted, would restore dignity to Parliament, especially to the position of First Deputy Speaker. �Mr. Barton-Odro should resign as MP as a sign of respect and remorse for his actions against the State when he was Deputy Minister of Justice and Attorney-General,� the statement demanded. The PPP also called on Parliament to investigate Barton-Odro for his involvement in the payment of huge sums of State money to undeserving individuals and institutions and take steps to purge the House of such individuals, especially from the leadership of the House. According to the PPP, their call stems from the fact that the party campaigned on the platform of incorruptible leadership and �we wish to hold Mr. Barton-Odro to this principle.� �We cannot continue to glorify persons whose actions or omissions have injured the State by giving them additional responsibilities, especially in positions where they are expected to hold governments or the executive accountable,� it intimated.