Dr James Kwabena Bomfeh Jnr, a lecturer at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, has called on the Attorney General to provide information about the alleged bribery scandal linked to the AKSA power deal. The controversy has resurfaced following a United States prosecution involving former Goldman Sachs banker Asante Kwaku Berko.
State Institutions Must Be Held Accountable
Speaking on JoyNews' Newsfile on Saturday, August 15, Dr Bomfeh emphasized that the Attorney General owes it to the public to explain what information his office has received about the case and what action is being taken. He noted that the public has a right to know what the Attorney General's office is doing to address the matter. "The Ghanaian public that pays the OSP and pays the Attorney General, what have they told us?" Dr Bomfeh asked.
Public Trust in Institutions Must Not Be Used as an Excuse
Dr Bomfeh acknowledged that there are concerns about public confidence in institutions such as Parliament and the Attorney General's office. However, he said that doubts about their credibility should not justify abandoning the institutions or refusing to engage them in addressing matters of national interest. "So yes, there's doubt. Yet we have got to work with these institutions," he said.
A Cross-Sectoral Committee to Investigate the AKSA Matter
Dr Bomfeh proposed the establishment of a cross-sectoral committee or commission involving traditional leaders, religious leaders, the media, civil society organizations, and, where possible, student groups. He suggested that this committee would be necessary to examine the AKSA controversy and related concerns about public contracts and the management of state resources. "What we can do is to say that we open up and discuss beyond the Attorney General's office and Parliament, because the two institutions all have something to do with where we are now," he said.
Following the Money
Dr Bomfeh emphasized the importance of following the money in any investigation into the AKSA power deal. "What we should be doing is first and foremost, follow the money. That's number one," he said. He suggested that a range of state and non-state institutions should be involved in examining the matter, even if there are concerns about their ability to act independently.
What's Next?
The proposal for a cross-sectoral committee to investigate the AKSA matter has sparked renewed interest in the controversy. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the public is demanding answers about the alleged bribery scandal linked to the AKSA power deal. It remains to be seen whether the Attorney General will provide the information that Dr Bomfeh is calling for, and whether the proposed committee will be established to investigate the matter further.
Source: Joy Online
