Appointments Committee Has No Right To Review CHRAJs Decision � Emile Short

The Commissioner for the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Justice Francis Emile Short, has sent a strong signal to the Appointments Committee of Parliament saying the committee does not have the right to review its decision regarding outgoing Presidential spokesperson, Mahama Ayariga�s purchase of 5 Kubota tractors meant for underprivileged farmers. He said the Appointments Committee and Parliament only asked for a copy of the body�s decision, but CHRAJ did not know what they intended to do with it. �The Appointments Committee cannot review our decision, they have no power or authority to review our decision,� he stated. Speaking in an interview with Citi Fm, the CHRAJ boss said the body does not have any problem with the committee desiring to have a copy of their decision. However, he said, the only concerns CHRAJ has with parliament has to do with the attempt to subject its decision to a review. �If the Appointments Committee or Parliament was seeking to review and reconsider or examine CHRAJ�s decision then that raises serious concerns,� he said. Justice Francis Emile Short stressed that since CHRAJ respected the authority of Parliament and the Appointments Committee, they expected them to also respect the authority of the Commission as a constitutional body, just like parliament. �I�m not sure what they are doing with the report�the Appointments Committee does not have oversight functions over CHRAJ, therefore reviewing the decision will raise a serious concern� they can do whatever they consider to be appropriate but not review the decision,� he pointed out. The Appointments Committee has withheld the vetting and approval of the deputy minister-designate for the Trade and Industry Ministry, Mahama Ayariga. Mahama Ayariga was cleared by the CHRAJ on the eve of his appearance before the Appointments Committee over his acquisition of tractors for deprived farmers. He was alleged not to have passed through the right channel, as the tractors were to be applied for by companies and cooperative bodies.