This, RECPAG believes, will be in line with the President’s continuous rhetoric that he will fight corruption and protect the public purse.
These were contained in a statement issued on Monday, August 9.
It was issued in the wake of the report by a nine-member parliamentary investigative committee set up over the botched contract the Ministry of Health entered into with Emirati middleman Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum over the purchase of Sputnik V vaccines for Ghana.
At the committee hearing, Minister Agyeman Manu admitted he took a rash decision given the exigencies of the time.
“In view of the above, ReCPAG wish to register its disappointment in the Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s led committee for failing to recommend the appropriate sanctions of firing and further prosecution of the Health Minister in their report aside urging the Ministry of Finance to take steps to retrieve monies paid to Sheik Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum,” the statement signed by ReCPAG’s Executive Director Mumuni Believer Likpalmor said.
“Furthermore, it is reprehensible and unpardonable to note that the Hon. Minister of Health, who once chaired the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament as an astute legislator and a Chartered Accountant, could willfully and flagrantly disregard constitutional requirement and procurement processes in such egregious manner.”
The civil society group said instead of resigning, the Dormaa Central Member of Parliament appears bent on staying at post.
“ReCPAG therefore wish to add our voice to the numerous calls by well-meaning Ghanaians that, if Hon Kwaku Agyemang-Manu fails to resign in order to save any modicum of decency he can muster following this debacle, the President, Nana Akufo-Addo should for once show leadership and candor by firing his Health Minister in line with his continuous rhetoric that he will fight corruption and protect the public purse.
“The continuous stay in office of Hon Kwaku Agyemang Manu only confirms a no-end in sight to the damning corruption scandals of the Akufo-Addo government and the deep-seated public suspicion that he did not act alone but enjoyed the support of the President and other high-ups in government in a grand agenda to milk the Ghanaian taxpayer.”
By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|3news.com|Ghana
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