The 12-member committee assigned to investigate the opposition New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) defeat in the 2024 general elections on Wednesday, April 16, presented findings of the probe to the National leadership of the party.

At the event held at Alisa Hotel in Accra, Chairman of the committee, Prof Aaron Mike Oquaye and his team presented the official document to the party.

Speaking on JoyNews‘ Newsfile on Saturdy, April 19, Mr Fuseini pointed to deep divisions within the NPP, driven largely by conflicting views on the legacy of former President Akufo-Addo and the direction of the party post-2024.

“If you are going to go along that tangent, because your party is clearly facing an existential threat. There are those who think within your party Nana Akufo-Addo is largely responsible for the defeat of your party.”

“Nana Akufo-Addo’s group too think that the party cannot revive itself, if it doesn’t ride on his legacy. So, you have these two to contend with – it’s just like confession and avoidance. Admit that you did something wrong so that you can rebuild your party.” he said.

The rift, according to Mr Fuseini, lies between factions who hold the former President Nana Akufo-Addo, accountable for the party’s recent electoral losses, and loyalists who insist that any political revival must be rooted in protecting and continuing his legacy.

Describing the situation as one of “confession and avoidance”, Mr Fuseini urged the party to come to terms with its recent failures and face hard truths if it hopes to recover credibility and public trust.

“Admit that you did something wrong so that you can rebuild your party,” he advised.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Mr. Fuseini clarified that his remarks were made off the cuff during a discussion that was not initially centered on the Bawku crisis, stressing that his statements were never intended to provoke anger or disrespect.

He explained that his comments were aimed at promoting peace and not at endorsing any faction involved in the conflict. However, he acknowledged that his words were interpreted as an affront to the authority of the Nayiri and the Mamprugu Kingdom.

“It was unfortunate that my views, though honestly expressed, appeared to align with the Kusasi position. That was never my aim. I am Dagomba, but suddenly I was being labelled as Kusasi simply for suggesting a possible approach to peace,” he said.

Mr. Fuseini further noted that upon reflection, he understood the concerns raised by the Mamprusi people.

“My comments were not meant to disrupt the existing order or to undermine any traditional authority. I was simply pursuing what I believed could contribute to justice and peace in Bawku,” he added.

Using the Newsfile platform, Mr. Fuseini extended a heartfelt apology: “With the greatest respect, I render an unqualified apology to the youth of Mamprugu, the Nayiri, and his Council of Chiefs. It was never my intention to hurt anyone.

“On this Holy Saturday, I pray that my apology will be accepted by all those I have offended — my brothers in Mamprugu, the youth, and the traditional authorities.”

Speaking on Newsfile on JoyNews, the former NDC MP asserted that the NPP’s active defence of the Chief Justice creates a perception that she is politically aligned with the ruling party, which could erode public confidence in the judiciary’s independence.

“It is totally wrong for a political party to assume the fight to protect the Chief Justice,” he said, expressing concern that the NPP’s involvement could undermine the integrity of the judiciary and politicise what should be a constitutional and impartial process.

Mr Fuseini argued that while it is not inappropriate to initiate processes to remove a Chief Justice in cases of alleged misconduct, the role of political parties in such matters should be restrained.

He recalled that there had been a similar petition against Justice Torkornoo in 2024 and stressed that calls for scrutiny of her office should not be dismissed outright.

“What the NPP is doing currently is implanting in the minds of people that the current Chief Justice is sympathetic to the NPP,” he said.

“They are doing Madam a disservice, and I simply do not understand why the NPP is so jumpy.”

He further criticised the party for using its legal surrogates to challenge the President’s constitutional obligations in court, noting that all those filing lawsuits to block presidential action on the matter are affiliated with the NPP.

“It is even becoming increasingly difficult to talk about the Chief Justice because she is the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana,” he stated.

“If the NPP doesn’t know that they are creating the problem, I am telling them they are creating the problem.”

According to him, if a committee is set up to probe the basis for her removal, the Chief Justice would have to be suspended during the investigation.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, the lawyer noted that this is not the first time petitions have been submitted seeking the removal of Chief Justices.

His statement follows the three petitions forwarded by President John Mahama to the Council of State, requesting the removal of Justice Gertrude Torkonoo.

However, some Ghanaians, including Manhyia South MP and lawyer Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, have cautioned against any removal without substantial grounds, warning of the long-term consequences for Ghana’s judiciary and governance.

Mr. Fuseini clarified that the Council of State’s role is limited to determining whether the petition presents a prima facie case, warranting the formation of a committee.

“If they analyze the petition and conclude that it lacks substance, they will advise the President that there is no prima facie case.

“But if a prima facie case is established, a five-member committee—comprising two lawyers and three non-lawyers, chaired by a Justice of the Superior Court—will be set up to investigate the matter. Their findings and recommendations will then be binding on the President. During the investigation, the Chief Justice will be suspended by the President,” he explained.

ALSO READ:

• Dr. Kotei Dzani clarifies Mahama’s role in Chief Justice’s removal process

• This can break the nation – Manhyia South MP cautions Council of State over…

READ ALSO:

• Sammi Awuku challenges government’s directive on post-election appointments
• Kwakye Ofosu justifies revocation of last-minute public service appointments
• They should know better – Ashanti Regional Council of State aspirant condemns chaos

His disappointment follows Dr. Amoakohene’s issuance of a stern two-week ultimatum to illegal miners operating in forest reserves and waterways, warning them to vacate or face the full force of the law.

The regional minister reaffirmed his commitment to protecting natural resources and supporting President John Mahama’s vision of promoting responsible mining.

“Anyone in the forest reserve mining should vacate those places. We are giving them up to two weeks. If you are mining within the forest reserves and you don’t want to be on the bad side of the law, you have two weeks to leave the place,” Dr. Amoakohene declared.

Reacting to the ultimatum on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, February 8, Mr. Fuseini argued that illegal miners should not be given time to fold up.

He explained that allowing time for illegal miners to vacate the sites only exposes weaknesses in enforcement efforts.

“We don’t give criminals time to prepare. If someone defecates in your backyard and you catch them, you don’t give them time to clean it up—you order them to do it immediately,” he stressed.

He warned that such delays allow offenders to exploit loopholes in the system, making the fight against galamsey less effective.

Mr. Fuseini instead praised Professor Brown Klutse, the EPA boss, for her bold and decisive action in directly ordering illegal miners to leave forest reserves without hesitation.

“That is why I commend Prof. Brown Klutse, the EPA boss, when she went around ordering people to leave the forest reserves,” he noted.

He maintained that galamsey is an existential threat and must be tackled with full force, without offering illegal miners any grace period.

See what Ghanaians are investing their money in

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, February 8, 2025, Mr. Fuseini argued that no action of such nature can be justified, emphasizing that public discourse must be anchored in responsibility and fairness.

“No action of such nature can be justified on the basis of ‘everybody.’ That’s what I said,” he stated, clarifying his position on the matter.

His comments follow unsavory remarks made in Parliament last week about the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, father of MP Zanetor Rawlings.

He further expressed concern over situations where individuals make accusations against others in their absence, preventing them from defending themselves.

“To say something about somebody without being held accountable is bad. And at the time that you were saying those things, that person, or his family or his relatives were not there to counter what you are saying. That’s impunity. You’re not being held accountable,” Mr. Fuseini stressed.

His remarks came during a panel discussion with legal expert Kofi Bentil, who had earlier elaborated on the importance of accountability in public discourse.

ALSO READ:

Namibian Lotteries Board CEO visits Ghana’s NLA for benchmarking

Sam George confident of approval even in secret ballot

Ho water crisis: Ghana Water Limited defers restoring supply

His comments follow an incident in which tensions between the Majority and Minority escalated, resulting in the throwing of furniture and equipment.

The conflict began when the Majority insisted on continuing the vetting process beyond 10pm. The Minority, however, opposed this, arguing that their work for the day had been completed and that the agenda had been exhausted.

What followed was a heated exchange that quickly descended into disorder, with both sides physically clashing, leading to the abrupt end of the meeting.

Speaking on the JoyNews AM Show, Fuseini expressed his disappointment with Markin’s conduct, emphasising that Parliament has well-defined procedures for resolving such disputes.

He argued that, as a leader, Markin should have sought to resolve the issue calmly and within the framework of Parliament’s established rules, rather than allowing his emotions to dictate his actions.

He remarked, “There are clear procedures to resolve conflicts in Parliament. As a leader, it’s your responsibility to seek an amicable solution rather than letting emotions take over. It doesn’t show leadership and maturity, and he did that with impunity.”

He also addressed the concerns Afenyo-Markin raised about the Clerk of Parliament, whom Markin had accused of showing bias in favour of the Majority.

Fuseini reminded Afenyo-Markin that Parliament has formal procedures for lodging complaints and handling such grievances. Rather than resorting to emotional outbursts, he stressed that Afenyo-Markin should have followed the correct channels.

He added, “If you believe the Clerk is being biased, there are proper procedures to follow. Resorting to emotional outbursts doesn’t solve anything.”

Furthermore, Fuseini highlighted the fact that the Parliamentary Service has clear rules and regulations governing the conduct of its officers. He questioned why Afenyo-Markin had not followed these guidelines, instead allowing his emotions to dictate his response. “The Parliamentary Service has rules and regulations regarding how officers behave, so why would you boil over? Why speak to an adult in such a manner, as if they didn’t matter?”

Fuseini expressed disbelief that the Minority Leader allowed the situation to escalate instead of addressing the issue through the proper channels.

He called for greater maturity from leaders in Parliament, urging them to set a more measured example for the House. “Leaders must approach issues with composure and maturity, especially in a setting as important as Parliament,” he concluded.

ALSO READ:

• Appointments Committee would have been boring without Afenyo-Markin – Franklin Cudjoe

• I’m appalled by Afenyo-Markin’s behaviour towards clerk – Sam George

According to him, President Mahama has been “determined, bold, and decisive” in selecting individuals to serve in his government.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, January 25, Mr. Fuseini noted that the President is fully aware that he has four years in office to govern and reset the country, as promised in his manifesto.

Mr. Fuseini explained that President Mahama has carefully chosen his ministers while working within the constraints of the Constitution.

He emphasized that the President is dealing with a large Parliament and striving to recruit the best individuals who align with his values and vision to leave a lasting legacy for the country.

“So, when you have a president who is constrained by the number of years he can be in office, the number of times he can present himself for election, and the number of ministers he has imposed, there is a responsibility placed on him not to joke with disappointments.

“In trying to fulfill his mandate, against the background of the fact that the people of Ghana reposed tremendous confidence in him to reset this country, he has to choose carefully. And in choosing carefully, people will be disappointed,” he said.

The former MP also criticized what he described as a pervasive sense of entitlement among some politicians, noting that many have been waiting with the expectation of receiving appointments.

He acknowledged that some politicians feel greatly disappointed, citing their contributions to the President’s success as a basis for their expectations.

“But you are looking at a president who is acutely aware that he cannot fail the people of this country, that he cannot sink below the depths that the NPP sank. In electing to reset the country, he was communicating to the people that he will do better and put the country on a sound pedestal.”

Mr. Fuseini further added, “Recruitment to carry out this mandate and vision will be tough. Some people will be disappointed, but we have to depart from his earlier ways of doing things.”

His remarks come as President Mahama continues to adhere to his campaign promise of maintaining a lean government.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on January 25, Mr. Fuseini criticized Mr. Afenyo-Markin’s suggestion that Mahama should apologize for his 60-minister pledge, describing it as unnecessary and politically motivated.

“We are not going to accept that. As a member of the NDC, the president cannot violate his own promise to the people. We resist that,” the former MP stated.

He further questioned the logic behind Afenyo-Markin’s comments, pointing out that Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had also promised to reduce the number of ministers to 50 during the 2024 election campaign.

“Is Afenyo suggesting that Bawumia was not being honest with Ghanaians when he said he would work with 50 ministers? And that if Bawumia had won, he would apologize to Ghanaians and raise the number beyond 50?” Mr. Fuseini asked.

The former legislator emphasized the importance of trust and accountability in governance, stressing that political leaders must honor their commitments to the people.

“We are running a Constitution and a government that must clearly win the trust and confidence of the people. We have great trepidation about the way politicians in the political class toy with the lives of the people of this country,” he said.

He also called for decisive and bold leadership, arguing that Ghana’s development hinges on prudent management of resources and a commitment to fulfilling promises made to the electorate.

“We believe that this country can develop and develop with very decisive, bold-minded leaders. The things that we have been doing with careless abundance, if we take time to do them right, we can get them right,” he added.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin’s comments were made on the floor of Parliament during a debate on the approval of ministerial nominees on January 23. The Majority Leader argued that 60 ministers would not help Mahama’s political cause and suggested that the President should apologize to Ghanaians for underestimating the demands of governance.

“When we make mistakes, let’s admit them and apologize. Sixty ministers will not help your political cause,” Afenyo-Markin said.

In his submission, he said that the EC’s decision to gazette the results of 274 constituencies when there was a pending case before the Supreme Court is suggestive of the fact that the Commission has caused a crisis constitutionally.

This position being espoused can only come from a mind that is dishonest. Honesty is an enemy to this former Lands and Natural Resources Minister, hence this position.

It is the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that has caused this constitutional crisis, not the Electoral Commission.

If the NDC had not urged its members to invade collation centres with the sole objective of disrupting collating processes, would we be talking about a constitutional crisis?

Immediately after polls closed, NDC thugs were called to storm the various collation centres to vandalize and cause chaos in the centres.

These thugs did not only beat up people but also forced EC officials to declare NDC candidates winners in elections they didn’t win.

In some cases, these goons destroyed pink sheets which would serve as evidence of the true state of affairs as far as voting was concerned.

When these happened, the EC was compelled to continue the processes of collation to enable them determine who actually won those seats.

In effect, but for the NDC sending their attack dogs out there to cause mayhem, commotion and destruction to the smooth processes of collation, no court issue would have arisen for this so-called crisis to come in the first place.

Inusah Fuseini should be honest and put the blame at the doorstep of his party’s leadership for whatever crisis we find ourselves in with respect to the collation exercises.

The writer is P.K. Sarpong, Whispers from the Corridors of the Thinking Place

Speaking on Joy News’ Newsfile on Monday, December 28, the private legal practitioner expressed concern over the EC’s decision to comply with a High Court order for the re-collation of results in nine constituencies, describing it as both unnecessary and procedurally flawed.

“The Electoral Commission has led us into a situation where we are now struggling as a country to extricate ourselves,” Fuseini stated.

He stated that the EC’s actions have exacerbated tensions and undermined the legal framework that governs electoral disputes.

His comments come after the Supreme Court quashed results in the re-collation of votes Tema Central, Ablekuma North, Techiman South, and Okaikwei Central in the 2024 parliamentary elections.

The apex court added that the order does not affect Ahafo Ano North and Nsawam Adoagyiri results.

According to the court, the trial judge violated the right to a hearing of the NDC Parliamentary Candidates when they applied to the High Court.

Mr Fuseini referenced Constitutional Instrument (CI) 127, which details the steps aggrieved candidates must take to challenge election results.

He argued that the EC’s rush to re-collate the disputed results contravened these provisions.

“It appears to me that we ought not to have been in any rush at all into re-collating the results of the disputed constituencies,” he said.

The former legislator suggested that the situation could have been resolved more effectively if the EC had waited for the election results to be gazetted, allowing aggrieved parties to pursue their cases through the courts.

“Which of these issues could not have been resolved if we had simply waited for the results to be gazetted and the aggrieved party takes the matter to court?” he questioned.

Fuseini also pointed out the inherent conflict in the EC’s role in this matter, accusing the Commission of acting as an interested party rather than an impartial arbiter.

“We have been put into a constitutional crisis today because the EC appears to be the interested party in this case,” he remarked.

Fuseini’s critique highlighted what he perceives as the EC’s failure to adhere to its constitutional mandate, a misstep that he believes has thrown Ghana’s democratic processes into disarray.

ALSO READ:

• Re-collation: New High Court judge to hear mandamus application

• High Court was biased and partial in re-collation order – NDC

Speaking on Joy News’ Newsfile on Monday, December 28, he expressed his disapproval of the EC’s handling of the situation, describing it as unnecessary and avoidable.

“The Electoral Commission has led us into a situation where we are now struggling as a country to extricate ourselves,” Fuseini stated.

His comments come after the Supreme Court quashed results in the re-collation of votes Tema Central, Ablekuma North, Techiman South, and Okaikwei Central in the 2024 parliamentary elections.

The apex court added that the order does not affect Ahafo Ano North and Nsawam Adoagyiri results.

According to the court, the trial judge violated the right to a hearing of the NDC Parliamentary candidates when they applied to the High Court.

He argued that CI 127, which governs electoral disputes, outlines clear steps for resolving such issues and that the EC should have followed these procedures.

“There ought not to have been any rush at all into re-collating the results of the disputed constituencies because the law—the CI, which is a CI of the Electoral Commission—clearly details steps that an aggrieved candidate in an election must take and how his rights accrue. That is after the results of the election in that particular constituency have been gazetted,” he explained.

Mr Fuseini suggested that the legal remedies available under CI 127 would have been sufficient to address any grievances without the current “hullabaloo” involving a mandamus compelling the EC to act.

“All this hullabaloo about mandamus compelling the Electoral Commission to perform a duty that is imposed on it by law—could it not have been resolved if we had simply waited?

“I mean, if the results were gazetted and the aggrieved party took the matter to court, which of these issues could not have been resolved?” Fuseini questioned.

He lamented that the EC’s decision to rush has plunged the country into what he termed a “constitutional crisis,” creating unnecessary tension and uncertainty.

“We have been put into a constitutional crisis today because the EC appears to be the interested party in this case,” Mr Fuseini added.

ALSO READ:

• Re-collation: New High Court judge to hear mandamus application

• Re-collation: NDC reacts to Supreme Court’s ruling

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, December 28, he condemned the EC’s actions, stating that they failed to adhere to clear legal procedures outlined in CI 127, the law governing electoral disputes.

“There ought not to be a rush in re-collating the results of the disputed constituencies at all because if you look at the C.I., which is the C.I. of the EC, it clearly details steps that an aggrieved person must take, and that is after the results of the election in that particular constituency have been gazetted,” he said.

His remarks came in the wake of the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on December 27, which nullified re-collated results in four constituencies—Tema Central, Ablekuma North, Techiman South, and Okaikwei Central.

The court ruled that the High Court judge overseeing the case had violated the right of NDC parliamentary candidates to a fair hearing.

However, results from Ahafo Ano North and Nsawam Adoagyiri constituencies remained unaffected.

Fuseini criticised the EC for acting prematurely and creating avoidable tension in the electoral process.

He argued that, proper adherence to procedural guidelines would have preserved public trust in the system.

“The EC should have strictly followed the procedures instead of engaging in actions that undermine the integrity of the electoral process,” he said.

The Supreme Court’s decision leaves the application for a mandamus order active, with the High Court expected to hear the case on Tuesday, December 31.

The court has also directed that the case be reassigned to a different judge to ensure impartiality.

Mr Fuseini emphasised the need for strict adherence to due process to prevent further disputes and safeguard the credibility of Ghana’s elections.

According to him, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has made numerous promises to Ghanaians that remain unfulfilled.

Speaking on JoyNews’ NewsFile on August 24, he said, “Their manifesto is a mere repetition and rhetoric. He told you he was going to move Ghana from taxation to production. He told you there was no reason why Ghana roads should not be paved with concrete. He said that kayaye ought not to be living at Agbobloshie but he was going to move them and build for them.

“He told us many things. He told us the NPP was developing the largest hydroelectric and irrigation dam in the north. What we have come to realise is that money has been sunk in the dam with no results. So there are many things that he said.”

Mr Fuseini further alleged that the NPP’s current manifesto includes 320 promises that closely resemble those from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) 2020 manifesto.

He accused the NPP of plagiarising from documents available to them from the NDC’s manifesto.

“When we said we were going to establish a women’s bank because there should be gender inclusiveness in the economic development of this country and the best way is to establish a financial institution that would care for and provide the sources, what did they (NPP) say?

“Now, they said they are going to establish a fund,” he explained.

Source: Myjoyonline.com

ALSO READ:

• NPP Manifesto: Bawumia’s 10 bold solutions to 10 major sports problems

• 2024 election: NPP’s Cynthia Morrison goes independent

In an interview on JoyNews‘ Newsfile on Saturday, August 10, he emphasised that the OSP is rather authorised to request cases from other relevant bodies, including the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO).

“What Gary is saying is not intended in the law that set up the Office of the Special Prosecutor. The law did not say that if the OSP concluded that its jurisdiction in the matter had not been properly evoked, it could suggest other institutions to take it up,” he said.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) accused former President John Dramani Mahama of corruption in relation to the Airbus scandal, which involved the procurement of aircraft for the Ghana Armed Forces.

The case was referred to the OSP in September 2020 to investigate possible conflicts of interest, bribery, and corruption.

After a four-year investigation, the OSP cleared John Mahama, his brother Adams Foster Mahama, and others of any wrongdoing.

Despite these findings, NPP’s Director of Legal Affairs, Gary Nimako, suggested that the matter should still be investigated by other bodies.

According to Mr Nimako, then-Vice President Mahama’s decision to close a government procurement deal with a company that engages his brother as an agent is enough to suggest a conflict of interest and should be investigated by relevant authorities.

However, Mr Fuseini disagreed.

He added that he would have been shocked if the OSP arrived at a different conclusion.

Meanwhile, Deputy General Secretary of the NPP, Haruna Mohammed, has expressed satisfaction that the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s investigation has identified former President John Mahama as “Government Official 1” in the Airbus bribery scandal.

In an interview on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Thursday, August 8, he said the “confirmation has strengthened the case for the NPP”, adding that “crime has no expiring date,” and that the case can be pursued at any time.

Mr Mohammed also mentioned that the NPP’s lawyers will review the OSP’s report and that the party is satisfied with the identification of John Mahama as “Government Official 1.”

“The NPP will state our position but we are very happy that the government official one is clearly John Mahama,” he added.

Source: Myjoyonline.com

ALSO READ:

• Owusu-Bempah questions OSP’s findings on Mahama’s role in Airbus bribery scandal

• Airbus scandal: Mahama was referred to OSP for political expediency – Edudzi Tamakloe

This was in response to a recent report by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) that named him as one of the “politically exposed persons” in former President Mahama’s era owning properties in Dubai.

The former minister was particularly taken aback by the specific mention of high-end areas in Dubai, including Jumeirah.

“This matter, having been published at this time that I, Inusah Fuseini, own 20 properties in high-end areas of the desert. You even mentioned Jumeirah in Dubai; I don’t even know there,” he told Okay FM on Tuesday, June 25.

The report, which was highlighted by the Daily Dispatch Newspaper, claims that Mr Fuseini possesses multiple high-end properties in the United Arab Emirates.

During an interview, Mr Fuseini addressed the allegations, expressing his disbelief and denying any connection to the mentioned properties.

“First of all, the story is inaccurate because I was a minister from 2014 to January 2017. The second thing is that he, himself (the Daily Dispatch journalist), said it is alleged, and so because of that, when I saw the story, I referred it to my lawyers,” he stated.

When he was asked by Accra-based Okay FM if he owned any property in Dubai at all, the former MP for Tamale Central refrained from giving further details, emphasing that his legal team is currently investigating the claims, and advised him to refrain from making extensive comments on the matter.

He hinted that the allegations might be part of a broader attempt to divert attention from the current government’s issues by targeting former ministers.

“This could be one of the attempts to deflect the attention that is being drawn on the government onto former ministers, and so we have to wait for the details, and my lawyers are studying the story carefully,” he added.

He expressed concern over the impact of such allegations on his reputation, urging patience until all facts are examined.

“It is not only telling and revealing, but it is also a story that goes to the reputation of the individual. And so, let us wait, let the details emerge, let the lawyers study it so that I don’t compromise my right to take further action on this matter,” he concluded.

I’ve worked for 30 years, owning $133K property in Dubai no big deal – Moses Asaga

Another former Member of Parliament whose name was mentioned in the report, Moses Asaga, has dismissed the claims and described them as a political machination.

The OCCRP report titled “How Dirty Money Finds a Home in Dubai Real Estate,” published on May 14, 2024, suggested that these persons had acquired real estate in Dubai worth millions of dollars while they served in the Mahama era.

The former Nabdam MP in a response to Accra-based Citi FM, said he was in the position to legally acquire a property worth $133,000 having worked in various roles at Ecobank, GNPC, and as a Deputy Minister of Finance and Minister for Employment.

“I thought I had done something criminal and corrupt worth investigating. $133, 000, shouldn’t I be able to own such an investment? What are the prices of Trasaco properties $1m- $3m who are staying there? Is it not politicians and majority NPP functionaries? Has the OCCRP gone to put a story on them? This is a political machination.

“So, they think for my 30-year working life I should not have an investment of that paltry amount. Before politics, I worked with Ecobank, and GNPC and was Deputy Minister of Finance, Minister for Employment, and CEO of NPA. I could not afford an investment of $133,000 for a student one-bedroom apartment. What is the crime and corruption involved in this?.

READ ALSO:

According to him, the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) reflects a high perception of corruption in President Akufo-Addo’s government.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, June 15, he cited the Australian Visa scandal in 2018, where some 50 people posing as journalists were refused entry into Australia for the Olympic Games.

Subsequently, the then Deputy Youth and Sports Minister, Pius Enam Hadzide, and other government officials were suspended from office for their roles in what many described as an embarrassing act for the country.

President Akufo-Addo reinstated Mr Hadzide and others after an investigation, a report of which is yet to be made public.

On the back of this, the former Tamale Central MP argued that the President has become a clearing agent instead of fighting corruption.

“The Australian Visa case, who cleared the man? Because the police never issued a report. But it is the President who cleared him on an NPP conference platform,” he asserted.

Mr Fuseini stated that the police should have issued a report clearing the former Deputy Youth and Sports Minister so that the President could say he was cleared by the police.

“But up to now, nobody has seen the police report. It is the President on an NPP platform who cleared Pius Hadzide, and you said we shouldn’t call you a clearing agent,” Mr. Fuseini said.

He also cited the stolen $1 million belonging to the former Minister for Sanitation Cecilia Abena Dapaah, stating that if the President ties the hands of the police and the investigative body investigating the matter, what does he expect them to do.

He argued that Akonta Mining also stands out in all these matters, stating, “Who cleared Akonta Mining? Is it not the President? And we should not say that he is a clearing agent,” he asked.

ALSO READ:

• Akufo-Addo deserves the ‘clearing agent’ tag – NDC

• Akufo-Addo replies Mahama over ‘clearing agent’ tag [Listen]

Mr Frimpong was seen in a viral video urging small-scale miners to attack military officers who disrupt their operations on various concessions.

This incident, which also involved the Western Regional Minister Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, who chairs the Regional Security Council, led to Mr Frimpong’s arrest following demands from civil society groups.

In an interview on JoyNews’ Newsfile on June 15, Mr Fuseini emphasised the critical importance of obeying the law by those in or seeking public office.

He condemned Frimpong’s actions, stating, “It is totally wrong to send a signal to wrongdoers that they can go on that path if you are a public officer or seeking public office.”

He stressed that “public officers must always uphold the sanctity of the law.”

Earlier, Mr Frimpong had defended himself by claiming that his comments were taken out of context from a two-hour discussion with artisanal small-scale miners, who he said were being harassed.

He insisted that he did not endorse illegal mining or encourage miners to fight military personnel.

Mr Fuseini, however, underscored the gravity of undermining military authority, while highlighting the military’s adherence to operational rules.

“When they [military] go on any site, they demand to see the license with which a person is mining. It is only when they are satisfied that that person has no license, that they act. That is the beginning of the rule of law,” the former lawmaker added.

ALSO READ:

• Kwesi Pratt shocked by military’s ‘love letter’ to Amenfi East NPP PC

• It was an occupational hazard but… – Amenfi East MCE on NPP PC’s comments

This is because, the country has maintained its score of 43 for the fourth consecutive year in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2023, as reported by Transparency International (TI) on January 30, 2024.

The country’s ranking is 70th out of 180 countries and territories assessed in the CPI.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile, he explained that “It didn’t start yesterday; it started in 2017. If this does not worry Akufo-Addo, I don’t know what will worry him – that we, the people of Ghana, are perceiving his government to be very corrupt.

“But he sees nothing wrong with it and thinks that we must produce evidence before he will believe us.”

Mr Fuseini also cited the Afrobarometer Report, noting that if that is not enough evidence to indicate there is something wrong with the government, then the fight against corruption cannot be won.

He argued that with the establishment of the Office of the Special Prosecutor to deal with corruption and corruption-related offenses, people were entitled to believe that the President would fight the menace.

However, that has not been done.

“So, 60% of Ghanaians believed that Akufo-Addo was on his way to fighting corruption. Indeed, when he appointed Martin Amidu, I was the first to give him credit for that because I thought, having appointed someone from the opposition, he was serious about fighting corruption, but it turned out to be false.”

The former Tamale Central MP asserted that the actions of President Akufo-Addo in the fight against corruption show that he is merely a “clearing agent”.

ALSO READ:

• Akufo-Addo should be real about his stance on fighting corruption- Ransford Gyampo

• Fighting corruption has been the cornerstone of my administration – Akufo-Addo

Speaking on Joy FM’s Newsfile, Mr Fuseini extolled Prof Opoku-Agyemang’s commitment to truthfulness

He noted the track record and affirmed her readiness to address any queries or concerns.

“When she was the Education Minister, Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang did a lot. And she’s available to answer all questions. Her integrity is admirable. Her reputation for speaking the truth is admired and appreciated by all,” he said on Saturday.

He emphasised Prof Opoku-Agyemang’s willingness to engage in open dialogue, arguing that her commitment to truthfulness instils confidence and fosters trust among the public.

The former lawmaker highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in public service, noting that Opoku-Agyemang’s integrity sets a commendable example for others to follow.

“It is said that truth is never afraid of conversation. And because of her truth, she’s not afraid of conversation. So if you bring your issues, she will deal with them as truthfully as she can.”

According to him, Dr. Bawumia overlooked the party delegates who voted to be flagbearer while addressing Ghanaians on his vision statement.

Rather, the former Minister said the Dr. Bawumia thanked President Akufo-Addo for giving him an opportunity to serve in government.

Speaking on Citi TV on Saturday, Mr Fuseini advised NPP delegates to remember the ‘ungratefulness’ of their flagbearer during this year’s general elections.

“People have gone out their way to sacrifice, stand in the sun to vote for him and you have opportunity to give your first major speech after the elections and you forget to thank people who voted for you to become flagbearer? He has taken them for granted,” he said.

The OSP on Monday referred Madam Dapaah’s case to EOCO to carry out investigations.

According to the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, the case largely relates to money laundering which within the purview of EOCO, hence the decision to refer the case.

“By operation of law, the Economic and Organised Crime Office has a specific and direct mandate regarding suspected money laundering cases and its attendant activity of structuring.

“Consequently, the Office is referring the case to EOCO for continued investigation and further action. The Office will be in close collaboration with EOCO and continued collaboration with the FBI,” he said in a press briefing.

In an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on Thursday, January 25, Mr Fuseini found the reasons for the referral “quite baffling.”

He questioned the Special Prosecutor’s decision, particularly concerning the predicate offence in the money laundering aspect of the case.

He added that the Special Prosecutor must also answer the question with regards to the predicate offence since in money laundering there are predicate offences.  

“He says that the case appears to him to be in the realm of money laundering and I ask what is a predicate offence because money laundering is an attempt to hide proceeds from the illegal activity so what is that illegal activity for which the facts of the case uncovered through investigations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor. How did Cecilia Dapaah come by such large sums of money?” he asked.

Mr Fuseini also expressed concerns about the relevance of the Special Prosecutor’s Office and stated that such actions undermined the nation’s fight against corruption.

“The Special Prosecutor’s actions once again have vindicated those who have questioned the relevance of the Special Prosecutor’s Office. Special Prosecutor’s comment has sounded the death knell in our nation’s fight against corruption.”

ALSO READ:

• OSP refers Cecilia Dapaah’s case to EOCO

• Court orders OSP to return Cecilia Dapaah’s seized assets

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, the former lawmaker called on Ghanaians to rally behind the Office of the Special Prosecutor in its mission to eradicate this pervasive menace.

Addressing the issue of no successful prosecution despite numerous investigations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), Mr Fuseini, who was a Ranking Member of the Legal, Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, reflected on the initial expectations when the law was passed in 2018.

He noted “I did not think that when we were passing the law in 2018, we were thinking that within the spate of a year or two, the Special Prosecutor would lock up many people and retrieve a lot of stolen properties for us.”

However, he emphasized the necessity of sustained efforts.

“It requires a lot of hard work, And what we need to do is to support the Special Prosecutor. I’ve told you and I’m saying it again that the Office of the Special Prosecutor has now been weaponised. It has been weaponised by the office itself because we now know that there is a weapon to fight corruption,” remarked Inusah Fuseini.

He highlighted the importance of citizen engagement, stating that the Special Prosecutor’s office has become a potent tool for addressing allegations of illegal dealings by public officers.

Mr Fuseini cited recent calls for the reopening of the Airbus investigation as an example of the public recognising the office’s role in tackling corruption.

“So, clearly it is a weapon, and what we need to do is for us to support the special prosecutor,” he urged.

In recent times, the OSP has spoken openly about his frustrations accusing the courts of hampering his work.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has stated emphatically that the creation of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) was an act in futility.

Speaking during the consideration of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values bill 2021, the Speaker of Parliament stressed that the office will not achieve any results in the fight against corruption.

Speaker Bagbin insisted that the Attorney General’s department should rather be decoupled from the Ministry of Justice.

“As for the law you passed on the establishment of the Office of the Special Prosecutor, I did tell you that it was an act in futility, you were not going to achieve anything but you went ahead and passed it,” he said.

ALSO READ:

• I will come after you if… – Special Prosecutor warns [Video]

• Resign if… – Former NPP Chairman to Special Prosecutor

According to him, the OSP has a unique mandate of fighting corruption and corruption-related offenses. He said a discussion about whether office is beneficial to the State or not should not even come up.

Speaking on JoyFM’s Newsnight, he explained that the office is relatively new and is currently learning from various cases tackled, adding that if enough room is allowed for the office to operate, it will be highly beneficial.

“We are learning a useful lesson from Martin Amidu, we are learning a useful lesson from Kissi Agyebeng and I think that somehow we have come to accept that the office has been weaponised, and I don’t think it will be in the interest of any political party to scrap that office,” he said on December 12, 2023.

Mr Fuseini added that although both past and present Special Prosecutors have not successfully prosecuted anyone for corrupt practices, the mere fact the office exists can make people refrain from corrupt practices.

“Clearly, people know that the office exists, and even if they are not having prosecution, the fact that you can be sent to the Special Prosecutor’s office is enough deterrence and the periodic information given to the public on the number of cases being handled by the Special Prosecutor also goes some way in dealing with the issue of corruption,” he added.

The former MP for Tamale Central said the main concern should be adopting ways to empower the office and make it more effective and fit for purpose.

Reacting to the criticisms about the OSP’s inability to successfully prosecute a single case since its establishment, he said that was not good enough considering the amount invested in creating the office.

“The fact that we have not convicted even a single soul under that office of the special prosecutor is enough to worry,” he said.

Creation of OSP was an act in futility – Speaker

Meanwhile, during parliamentary proceedings on Tuesday, December 12, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, asserted that the law establishing the OSP was an act of futility.

Speaking during the consideration of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021, he stressed that the Office will not achieve any results in the fight against corruption.

ALSO READ:

• Creation of OSP was an act in futility – Speaker

• Creation of OSP was not an act in futility – Martin Kpebu

According to him, the sentence handed to a known illegal mining kingpin, Aisha Huang, shows that the country is not serious about ending the menace.

“I think the Aisha Huang case and the conviction and the sentence is another vivid demonstration of our lack of commitment in fighting this canker. The first arrest of Aisha Huang was under a legal regime that imposed or criminalised illegal mining and imposed a sentence that was higher than four and half years,” he said.

He made these comments at the “JoyNews National Dialogue of Illegal Mining” on December 4.

Mr Fuseini, who was once the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources was reacting to an Accra High Court verdict where the ‘galamsey queen’ was sentenced to four and a half years in prison, in addition to a fine of GH₵48,000.

The Chinese national, also known as En Huang, was standing trial for undertaking a mining operation without a licence, facilitating the participation of persons engaged in mining operations, the illegal employment of foreigners, and entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry.

On the back of this, the former Minister stressed that during his time at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, it was realised that the sentencing regime was minimal and not deterrent enough. Therefore, something needed to do something about it, for which reason the law was amended.

Hence, the court’s decision to use the old mining regime was not a good signal, he argued.

“We seemed to be suggesting that this canker can be tolerated.”

Again, he added that globally environmental crimes are crimes against humanity and therefore cannot be justified based on the exploitation of minerals.

He justified his claim with a video of a woman who gave birth to a stillborn child due the negative impact of living in an illegal mining community.

Mr Fuseini emphasised that “we must all leave here [JoyNews National Dialogue] knowing and accepting that until something is done to bring a solution, we are all moving towards extinction.”

He said the canker was attacking our very existence and economy, as well as exposing the country to dangers that cannot be quantified.

The former legislator added that clearly, there was a bigger problem that must be confronted with the same determination other countries had demonstrated.

ALSO READ:

• Aisha Huang jailed

• Aisha Huang herself thinks we’re a country of jokers – Inusah Fuseini

According to him, the Office was established with special authority to combat corruption; therefore, the modus operandi adopted to achieve its mandate is different from that of other offices.

The former legislator made these remarks on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, November 2.

In response to a question on prosecutors staying away from commenting on matters they are dealing with in court, Mr Fuseini said; “We did not say prosecutor, we said Special Prosecutor and we took steps in the law, gave him operational independence so he does not need a fiat from the Attorney General to organise a press conference of the nature that he did.”

The question follows the recent press conference organised by the OSP, where it commented on the ‘frustrations’ the office faced from the court in the fight against corruption.

Subsequently, the Ghana Bar Association said Special Prosecutor, Mr Kissi Agyebeng, should have exhausted all legal processes and should have taken cues from the Attorney General who exhausted all legal processes in the Dr Opuni case.

On the back of this, the former legislator said, “In corruption, you don’t fight corruption in darkness. You fight corruption throwing light on what you believe are obstacles to your fight against corruption.”

Mr Fuseini who was also the former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources clarified that the OSP can adopt several measures in the fight against corruption, however, while doing so, Mr Agyebeng must inform the public.

“He has criticised the decision of the court and he can continue to go up but he needs to carry the public along,” he added.

ALSO READ:

•  We’re facing doom in corruption fight – Special Prosecutor reacts to court verdict

• Corruption fight: ‘Should I feel frustrated and resign?’ – Special Prosecutor

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, November 4, Mr Fuseini pointed out that the party is rather scared of the level of deterioration the New Patriotic Party (NPP) would leave behind when the NDC takes over power.

This, he claimed, is due to the NPP’s use of “mafia tactics” in dealing with judgment debts and managing the economy.

“Our biggest fear now is when we do win power, what will be the level of mess that would be left by the NPP? That’s our biggest fear,” he told Samson Lardy Anyenini.

Mr Fuseini’s comment is in response to Vice President Dr Mahamud Bawumia’s assertion that he is confident of winning the 2024 presidential election.

He claims the NDC is intimidated by his candidature, stressing that delegates in the Zongo communities have decided to vote for him, should he win the race to lead the NPP into the 2024 general election.

Speaking during his campaign in the Oti Region ahead of the party’s November 4 primaries, Dr Bawumia said, ‘If you look at the strongholds in the North and Zongo communities, it indicates that if Dr Bawumia leads the NPP, they will vote for the NPP. And when this happens, the NDC cannot win the elections.

He further stated that he will ensure he secures majority votes from all the regions considered the strongholds of the NDC to enable the NPP to win the 2024 general elections.

The Vice President said, “That is why they fear Dr Bawumia because they all know that I will give them a showdown.”

However, the former Tamale Central MP argues that it is universal that when the electorates are fatigued with a party, it does not make sense to elect somebody closely associated with the same party’s leadership.

According to Mr Fuseini, the Bawumia of today as Vice President contesting for the NPP presidential slot is not the same Bawumia of 2016.

This, he explained is because “what Bawumia is made of has been exposed this eight years and Ghanaians are able to assess him, unlike Bawumia in 2016 who had not been assessed by Ghanaians.”

ALSO READ:

• Election 2024: I’ll give NDC ‘showdown’ in its strongholds – Bawumia

• 2024 elections: I will give NDC a showdown – Bawumia

He also expressed his belief that President Nana Akufo-Addo will not terminate Dr Addison’s appointment at the BoG, citing a lack of historical precedent for such actions.

Speaking on Newsfile on Saturday, Mr. Fuseini stated that even if President Akufo-Addo were to contemplate Dr. Addison’s removal, a well-defined procedure must be followed to request his resignation.

He emphasised that the President does not possess the unilateral authority to abruptly dismiss the BoG governor, stating that such an action would constitute a grave violation of the Bank of Ghana’s establishment.

“If he does that, it would be an egregious violation or breach of the status of establishing the Bank of Ghana. The president could not have sacked the Chairman of the Electoral Commission. He didn’t take a direct route in sacking Charlotte Osei but in the end, she had to go,” he said.

Mr. Fuseini further underscored that President Akufo-Addo has received numerous petitions from concerned Ghanaians, highlighting that “the violation of the Constitution that demands the declaration of assets within a certain period of time cannot be excusable and those public officers who have done that should go.”

He maintained that while the President may not personally initiate Dr. Addison’s removal, he would require individuals who prioritise the nation’s service, patriotism, and adherence to the law over partisanship to navigate any necessary rule-bending within the legal framework.

“When the law says you can’t do certain things and you want to do them, what you must do is to take steps to amend the law”.

Commenting on Dr. Addison’s response to the #OccupyBoG demonstration led by the NDC to demand his resignation, Mr. Fuseini clarified that the Constitution guarantees the right to demonstrate.

During the week, Dr. Addison had stated that he would not resign in response to the demands of the Minority NDC caucus and deemed the demonstration “completely unnecessary.”

He also asserted that neither he nor his deputies would leave their positions.

To this end, the former Lands and Natural Resources Minister argued that characterising the #OccupyBoG demonstration as “lawless” was unwarranted.

He defended the importance of demonstrations in advancing democracy and pointed out that even in more established democracies, people engage in civil protests.

He questioned Dr. Addison’s stance, emphasising that the Constitution guarantees the right to demonstrate, and such actions are essential in fostering a vibrant democracy.

RELATED:

• Minority sends strong message to BoG

• BoG Governor must apologise to Ghanaians – Nana Akua Avle

In an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on Wednesday, Inusah Fuseini explained that the police had not complied with all the procedural requirements before heading to court to attempt to block the demonstration.

The police therefore had no basis to go to court.

“The right to go to court under Section 6 (of the Public Order) has three conditions: there must be a refusal to change the route or a refusal to comply within 48 hours that invokes the rights of the police to go to court. The police cannot just get up and go to court,” he said.

Mr Fuseini called on the police administration to critically look at the Public Order Act, Act 936 Section 1, Subsections 1 to 7, on the matter to settle the impasse between them and the demonstrators.

“My understanding is that the police have not notified the demonstrators to either hold, postpone, or change the route of their demonstration, and neither have the demonstrators written back under Section 5 to refuse to comply and so Section 6, which invokes the jurisdiction of the court to step in, has not even materialised.

“So the police will be shirking their responsibility if they fail to provide protection to the demonstrators tomorrow- Thursday because there are procedural requirements,” he said

His comments follow the Ghana Police Service’s claim that it had successfully served organisers (Democracy Hub) in connection with their planned protest to picket the Jubilee House from Thursday, September 21, to Saturday, September 23, 2023.

The demonstration, according to the Accra-based civil society organisation, Democracy Hub, is to demand the President and members of the Economic Management Team to #FixTheCountry in the light of the level of economic mismanagement and theft that has engulfed the government from the highest levels. It was scheduled to begin on Nkrumah’s Memorial Day.

The picketing will also give citizens a chance to voice their opposition to the proposed military intervention in Niger and any other decisions regarding government policy

Meanwhile, Democracy Hub says they have not been served any court process by the Police, contrary to suggestions by the Service.

The group said the Police had, throughout their engagement, kept up a ruse, “making us believe that they will respect the law and fulfil their obligations under the Public Order Act.”

“We are appalled by the desperate and likely partisan attempts by the Police to disrupt peaceful and democratic mobilisation for our upcoming Occupy Julorbi House picket,” it stated.

The group has further urged the public to disregard the police statement, “which is riddled with misinformation” as the protest will take place as scheduled.

“We invite the general public to assemble at the 37 Trotro Station at 6:30 am tomorrow for onward march to the Jubilee House,” it reiterated.

ALSO READ:

• Police file injunction against occupy ‘Julorbi’ House demo

• #OccupyJulorBiHouse demo: Organisers react to Police injunction

According to him, the Atta Akyea Committee should have already completed its work given the timeline provided by Parliament for investigating the ousting of Dr George Akuffo Dampare from office.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, Mr Fuseini clarified that the Committee had already fulfilled its initial mandate, which was to establish the authenticity of the leaked tape.

He explained that when the committee decides to take on additional matters, its scope of investigation will expand, making further delay unnecessary.

“The Committee has established that the tape is authentic, excerpt that portions of it have been doctored so its authenticity has been established.

“I don’t even believe the tape has been doctored so the committee should have ended its work by now,” he said.

Mr Fuseini maintained that the veracity of the conspiracy in the leaked tape has also been firmly established, citing statements from individuals like Supt. George Asare and COP Alex Mensah who alluded to lobbying for the IGP position.

On the back of this, he argued that there was no legitimate reason for the ad hoc Committee to invite Dr Dampare to testify regarding the leaked tape since he was not part of it.

“He’s not part of the leaked tape and if they invite the IGP, the committee will not finish its work. Leave it, many matters have come,” he urged.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Samuel Atta Akyea has revealed that some senior police officers had petitioned the committee.

Mr Atta Akyea reiterated the committee’s commitment to uncovering the truth and emphasised that individuals whose names were prominent in the tape might be required to testify.

The chairman of the Committee also added that his outfit will delve into a suit filed against IGP George Akuffo Dampare regarding promotions within the service.

“We have also just seen that some police officers have even taken the IGP to court in relation to their promotion. So I have instructed for the writ so we know the content of what is pending in court.”

• Zenator Rawlings reveals relationship with Akufo-Addo
• Plot to remove IGP: Parliamentary committee receives new tape
• AAMUSTED ‘chief priest’ passes on after fire stunt went horribly wrong

According to him, the BoG holds a fiduciary responsibility to the people of Ghana because the bank belongs to the entire Ghanaian populace.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, Mr Fuseini said that decision taken by BoG must be taken prudently and that the bank should be accountable.

“No one is saying that they conceived the idea of building a bank in 2017, no one has said that, but building the bank in 2021 at the height of our economic and social crisis, was it a prudent decision?

“That goes to show that the bank has been so mismanaged and the managers of the bank have not exercised prudence in their decision making and that has led us to the situation in which we are,” he said.

The former Roads and Highways Minister’s assertion follows the BoG’s recent statement that it is spending $250 million to build a new head office because its current office which was built in the 1960s has failed a structural integrity assessment.

It said, the edifice “is no longer fit for purpose and could not stand any major earth tremors.”

In a press release on Tuesday, August 9, the central bank explained that “The outcome of the structural integrity work was that the main building does not satisfy the full complement of excess strength required for a building to be considered safe for usage.

“This means that in the case of a worst-case gravity and wind loading scenario, for example, unusually strong wind, the building may be significantly affected.”

On the back of this, Mr Fuseini said that it is not prudent for BoG to start the building of a new headquarters after recording a GH¢60.8 billion loss and negative equity of 55 per cent for 2022.

“The project is ongoing! If you know a project life, there’s a budget for it and the project has a gestation period. The project is still ongoing, the current crisis in which we are, the project is still ongoing. ….. it’s not that the money is sitting in the bank, if the money were sitting in the bank, they wouldn’t have a negative equity of the 55% for 2022,” he said.

The lawyer emphasised that “At the time the project was starting, no reasonable bank manager would have committed to invest when we were still suffering the ravages of Covid-19 on the economy and the projections said that our economy was going to slow down. No reasonable person would do that, when countries were taking steps to protect the economic fundamentals of their countries.”

Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament has called out the Governor of the central bank and his deputies after the lender of last resort reported a ¢60.8 billion loss for 2022.

The Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has questioned why Dr Ernest Addison is spending $250 million to build a new head office for the central bank at a time the Bank is in financial difficulties.

He accused the BoG Governor of printing money to finance this project.

He stated that the trial may not end in Mr Quayson’s favour because he is a victim of government’s ‘persecution’.

“I’ve already given my advice on air that if government persecutes you like Akufo-Addo is doing to Gyakye Quayson, Gyakye Quayson must prepare for the worse,” he said on Kumasi-based Hello FM.

Mr Inusah added the legislator is innocent until proven guilty

Mr Quayson is standing trial for allegedly committing offences including perjury and forgery.

An Accra High Court has ruled that nothing stops it from proceeding with the case despite multiple legal processes filed at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

The court had earlier indicated it will hold its hearing on a day-to-day basis forcing Mr Quayson to file legal processes at the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court stating that the Attorney General has failed to furnish him with the full complement of evidence to be used against him.

Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, disagreed with this view and pointed out that the court should proceed since no order has been issued by either the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court.

The court presided over by Justice Mary Yanzuh, ruled that in the absence of any court order halting proceedings, the court will proceed with the case.

ALSO READ:

• Passing anti-gay bill will introduce more problems for us – Inusah Fuseini

• Inusah Fuseini speaks on son’s sentence in US

• NPP flagbearership race: NPP has a large number of overly ambitious people – Inusah…

The former lawmaker argues that the passage of the bill will likely turn every Ghanaian into a security detail expected to spy on others and report back to the state which will give rise to all manner of problems.

Speaking to Umaru Sanda Amadu on Face to Face on Citi TV, Mr Fuseini said the description of unnatural carnal knowledge in the bill is disturbing and that there is already a law criminalising interfering in people’s private affairs.

“As Africans, we have traditions and that is why LGBTQ+ is facing stiff opposition, and we see it as a cultural recolonisation, a cultural imposition, and it is not African and I have said that unnatural carnal knowledge is an inherently private matter. It is a private matter, and we are not concerned about what goes on in the four walls of your bedroom and that is why I said the bill is trying to create a police state.

“Why should we use state resources preying on people’s private affairs when it is already an offence to do so? If you come out openly to profess you are LGBTQ+, we will not mind you but if you engage in it to the knowledge of the law enforcement agencies or responsible citizens, we will arrest you and send you to jail and there is already a law dealing with that and the bill will introduce more problems for us because they say if you are in your house, you have the responsibility to ensure members of the household uphold proper family values.”

READ ALSO:

• NPP parliamentary primaries: Daakye takes lead to pick nomination forms at Akwatia
• Sky train project is a scam – Kofi Adams
• If police, military rely on a land guard, what happens to common Ghanaians? – Suhuyini asks

The former Lands Minister has said as someone who knows he brought up his son well, it is not easy for him to speak on the issue.

“Well, it is a difficult thing, it is difficult I mean you train your child, bring up your child to be a useful and responsible person. You sit down with him at night and in the day to talk about what decent life is, you try to infuse in him what hard work can do but we are of different generations,” he said on Accra-based Citi TV.

Abdul has been convicted and sentenced to two years in prison for fraud.

The sentencing took place on Thursday, March 23, 2023, after a federal jury found him guilty of several charges, including receipt of stolen money, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and two counts of wire fraud on August 12, 2022.

In addition to his prison term, he has been ordered to pay $152,000 in restitution and will be placed under three years of supervised release following his time in jail, as reported by local media outlets.

But Mr Inusah has said his son was only caught up in stupidity because he had only one responsibility in the US.

“It is difficult to talk about him because deep inside me, deep inside me I think he was just caught by stupidity and nothing or some level of invincibility.

“As a student, he had his document so he decided to register a company. I never sanctioned that, I believe that if you are sent to school to learn you must concentrate on your studies and I told him that,” he added.

ALSO READ:

• You had only one responsibility in US – Inusah Fuseini tells embattled son

• Inusah Fuseini’s son speaks on fraud charges

Lawyer and former MP for Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini, says NDC flagbearer hopeful, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, has destroyed any possible chance he had to lead the party by filing for an injunction.

According to Mr Fuseini, delegates are furious about the action as they consider it an act that had the potential to put the party’s primaries on hold.

“After this action, you don’t need to look far to see that he’s destroyed any remote chance that he had to lead the party,” he stated while speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show on Friday.

Prior to the elections, Dr Duffuor filed a suit against the party’s primaries on the claim that his team had identified some discrepancies in the party’s voters’ register that were to be used for the exercise.

According to the writ submitted to an Accra High Court, the plaintiff indicated that the party failed to provide him with the needed picture album register five weeks before the polls.

He asserted that rather than in March, when his team requested a photo album register, a partial one was provided to his team on May 4, a few days before the polls.

Dr Duffuor, therefore, requested the court to put the election scheduled for May 13, on hold and also have the party engage candidates on a road map towards drawing up an accurate list of voters. 

But Mr Fuseini is contending that the injunction filed by Dr Duffuor was unneeded, as his grievances could have been addressed and resolved internally by the party.

He stressed that the upcoming primaries election was an essential and anticipated event by both party faithful and members of the party, hence his justification that Dr Duffuor’s action has infuriated the party delegates.

“They’ve been preparing since the party lost the election in 2020, the party has embarked on the reorganisation – we are just at the climax of the reorganisation of the party to elect somebody to lead us into the election 2024.

“And so all the preparations towards 2024 appear to have been put on hold because of a similar action by Dr which could have been resolved. So people are just simply leaving.”

The former MP for Tamale Central further questioned if Dr Duffuor’s actions were intended to waste the party’s time, and advised him to withdraw his case as soon as possible.

He added it was important for the NDC to approach the 2024 elections with a united front, and called for unity among party members.

To this end, an Accra High Court on Friday, May 12 ruled out Dr Duffuor’s injunction case against NDC’s presidential and parliamentary primaries.

The NDC, however, contended that it has so far rectified most of the errors that have been identified by Dr Duffuor’s team.

The General Secretary of the party, Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey said that the party’s primaries will take place as scheduled on Saturday, May 13.

ALSO READ:

• NDC primaries to proceed as Duffuor withdraws case against party

• If you had good intentions for NDC, you would have….. – Zita to Duffour

Article 71 of the Constitution of Ghana, spells out that the salaries and allowances of Article 71 office holders, be determined by the President, on the recommendations of a committee of not more than five persons appointed by him and acting upon the advice of the Council of State.

The Article 71 officeholders include the President, the Vice-President, the Speaker of Parliament, the Chief Justice, and the Justices of the Supreme Court.

But Mr Fuseini told Samson Lardy Anyenini on Newsfile on Saturday that the conditions stated in Article 71 created room for discrimination against some public officers.

According to him, Article 71 officeholders are also public officers, and the provisions of Article 71 enabled the Article 71 officeholders to receive preferential treatment.

This, he pointed out, contradicted Article 17 of the Constitution, which spells out that there must be equality before the law, thus his advocating for the removal of Article 71.

The lawyer, while contributing to a discussion on Newsfile, Saturday, April 1, told the host, Samson Lardy Anyenini, “Article 71 should be deleted in its entirety because it appears to me to be it is inconsistent with article 17 of the constitution, which deals with non-discrimination.

“All officers under article 71 are public officers, and so there should not be discrimination between the Article 71 office holders and all other office holders,” he added.

ALSO READ:

Ghana’s constitution performing ‘tremendously well’ – Nhyiaeso MP

Review 1992 Constitution: Curtail excessive powers of Presidents – Emile Short

Additionally, Mr Fuseini stated that he believed that the Independent Emolument Committee has been recommended by the constitution review committee for Article 71 to be examined and substituted with a different arrangement.

To him, it’s no surprise as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) did a similar thing in 2009. 

He explained that with Ghana’s current economic crisis, the directive from the party to its caucus is a step in the right direction. 

“I’m not surprised in the sense that it’s not the first time it has happened. In 2009, when Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo went to court with respect to the elections, I remember that the NPP issued a statement instructing its caucus not to participate in the vetting,

“Our country is broke, we’ve gone bankrupt. The government cannot continue on the path that they continue to tread. We’re broke so you can’t continue along that trajectory that everything is normal. Somebody must wake Nana Akufo-Addo up, he’s sleeping,” he fumed on Accra-based Neat FM.

He said the NDC will not help the government on its “reckless”, “insensitive”, and “lack of burden sharing” path.

Mr Fuseini said the Minority Caucus will only participate in the vetting process, not the voting.

He suggested that ministers without portfolios be reassigned to fill the empty spots.

“We have a lot of ministers without portfolios so why don’t you reassign them there?” he quizzed.

The vetting process for the new ministerial nominees began today, February 20, 2023.

According to to the former Tamale Central Member of Parliament, there is no way the Chinese national would have found her way back to Ghana if “our laws were punitive enough.”

“Aisha Huang herself thinks we are a country of jokers and she can buy justice with money. That is why she came back because she knows she can have her way. We needed to prove to the world we were on top of issues and could fight galamsey but that did not happen,” Mr Inusah said on Accra-based Neat FM.

His comments come on the back of her re-arrest for galamsey-related activities following her deportation in 2019 for a similar offence.

On Monday, September 5, an Accra Circuit Court slapped her with two charges and remanded her and three others into police custody.

She has been charged with engaging in sale and purchases of minerals without license, as well as mining without license.

But to the former Minister, the charges are not enough for someone who is a non-citizen, considering the position of the law.

Mr Inusah urged President Akufo-Addo to take a special interest in this case, especially since he[Akufo-Addo] indicated her deportation was a mistake.

“We did not handle this case well at first. Just look at the comments Osafo Maafo made about her deportation. Akufo-Addo has gotten an opportunity to set the case on the right path so he should be interested,” he cautioned.

Evidence at trial revealed that Abdul Inusah, 31, was part of a conspiracy that targeted victims using false personas via email, text messaging, and online dating and social media websites.

The acts span “from at least January 2018 through at least December 2019,” per the report.

Some of them involve “his role in a Huntington-based scheme that defrauded individuals in multiple states through the use of false online personas.”

“The amount included $48,000 to pay overdue taxes on a non-existent gold inheritance in Ghana and $21,000 wired to Bitsav Supply LLC, a shell company set up by Inusah. Another false persona, ‘Grace,’ persuaded a Washington resident to wire funds so ‘Grace’ could maintain her South African cocoa plantation and move to the United States to marry the victim.

“Other victims of the false personas included residents of Ohio and Florida,“ the Department of Justice said.

In the statement published on the DOJ’s website, the jury is said to have found the former MP’s son “guilty of receipt of stolen money, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and two counts of wire fraud.”

“The wire fraud counts involve a pair of $2,000 Zelle wire transfers to Inusah from the money obtained using the “Miarama” false persona in January 2019.

According to the US Department, Mr Inusah is expected to be sentenced on November 21, 2022.

Abdul faces a maximum penalty of 50 years in prison.

“I could not have varied the initial grant because I am fully aware of the implications of Article 58 of the Constitution of Ghana and could not have placed myself in that awkward position” he said in a statement copied to Adomonline.com.

The former Tamale Central MP’s comment comes on the back of a statement from the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry which claimed Mr. Fuseini was aware the state agreed to extend the agreement from 181 acres to over 360.

But the former Minister maintains he was unaware about any subsequent attempts to vary the initial grant of acres to the Owoo family.

Hon. Fuseini stressed the press release by the Ministry contains some incorrect assertions and plain misrepresentation of facts skewed against his person and the role he played between the period January 2013 to June 2014.

“It bears repeating that I was not a party to the alleged extension of the initial grant of 118 acres to the Owoo Family. My letter of 4th April 2014 to the Lands Commission was in respect of the original grant of 118 acres of land to the Owoo family as captured in the last paragraph of the said letter.

“That letter read together with the original Lease executed by the Forestry Commission in favour of the Owoo Family will leave no doubt in the mind of anyone reading those two documents that they are referable to the same 118 acres of land granted the Owoo Family pursuant to a cabinet directive. I could not have acted otherwise,” parts of a statement issued by Mr Fuseini read.

He supported calls for the reversal of the declassification of portions of the Achimota forest reserve as contained in the Executive Instrument (E.I) 144.

Hon. Inusah Fuseini also called for an independent enquiry to be launched into these matters to ascertain the truth.

According to him, “compensation was paid, £4000 pounds then in 1951, 1957…I am aware that the colonial government paid four thousand pounds for the land and that was a huge amount of money in 1951.”

The former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources under the erstwhile John Mahama Administration made this revelation on Joy FM’s Top Story, Wednesday.

Besides, Mr Fuseini recalled that during his regime as a Lands Minister in 2013, a ceremony was held in the forest to release about ninety to a hundred acres of the land to the Owoo family.

“A study was done and then we all agreed, including the Owoo family that, that was what they were entitled to.

“There was a ceremony to release that part to them that took place in the forest itself. I was there, the Wulomei was there, the Owoo family was there, and my deputy and everybody were there…about ninety to hundred acres thereabouts was released to them,” he said.

This, he said was to prevent any further encroachment on the forest and to enable the forest to be put to good use.

Against this backdrop, Mr Fuseini contended that the Owoo family is not entitled to any further compensation from the government.

“With the greatest respect to the Owoo family, they have always maintained that they are not entitled to a dime.

“That’s why in my letter, I only maintained that it was only on compassionate grounds with the realisation and acknowledgement of the fact that they were the allodial owners of the land,” he said

He noted that the Owoo family to the best of his knowledge “have never claimed compensation of the land.”

He maintained that “What they have always said is because that vast amount of land was taken from them, it deprived them the benefit of the use of the land and now they are almost robbed of their resource and so government should reach out to them and see how it can put them in a better position to continue to carry on as a family.”

The Former Lands Minister also disagreed with the government’s declassification of the Achimota Forest reserves.

He questioned whether such a move by the government will prevent any further encroachment of the forest lands.

“The ultimate purpose for the return of the land to the Owoo family on compassionate grounds under His Excellency John Mahama was to try to protect what was left of the forest. So if you don’t protect the forest and you just declassify the forest, what is the guarantee that there won’t be further encroachment,” he quizzed.

He said it was purposefully built by a military leader, the late Jerry John Rawlings to preserve the country’s stability.

He claimed that the late Prof. John Evans Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) tried to amend it but was unable to do so due to the NDC’s defeat in the 2016 election, resulting in the waste of about $60 million.

“The NDC attempted to change it but failed because they were voted out, resulting in the waste of almost $60 million dollars. Ghana’s constitution is a political document. That is why a lot of Ghanaians complain that the president has so much power.”

According to him, the entire constitution should be amended, not just parts of it, explaining that the country requires a development constitution.

Dr Kwesi Amakye Boateng, a Political Science Lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, also stated that the 1992 constitution failed to generate economic stability in Ghana, which has become the country’s chronic problem.

He believes that MPs are misusing their power and that taxpayers money is being squandered on frivolous expenditures.

He said that amendment of a country’s constitution does not dwell on duration, instead, the impact it would have on the country.

“The amendment of the constitution does not depend on time, instead, it impacts on the country being evaluated before it can be changed or maintained. Constitution is supposed to yield a positive result but this constitution has failed to improve the economic stability of the country,” he lamented.

Dr Boateng went on to say that the president has been granted far too much power and that some constitutional privileges should be taken away from him.

“There are a lot of privileges that should be taken from the president and also leaders of the security services such as the police, military and others. It’s because they appoint whoever they want at any point in time,” he said.

The Member of Parliament for Tamale Central has, for days now, come under a lot of pressure after urging the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress to undertake a parallel government over the outcome of the 2020 election.

Mr Fuseini recommended this ‘parallel government’ approach, stating that it would serve as a catalyst for power returning to the party.

However, speaking on Prime Morning on Joy Prime, he said that the position was his personal view and does not reflect the party’s next line of action.

“Though I made certain comments which many have described as outrageous, it doesn’t mean the NDC will go that way and President Mahama will not do that.

RELATED:

• Inusah Fuseini roasted over ‘parallel government’ advice to Mahama

• Pronounce yourself president and form a parallel govt – Inusah Fuseini to Mahama

“We are going to court on the election because we cannot accept the results of a flawed election,” he said.

To Mr Inusah, the outcome of the results was supposed to tally with the number of voters, adding the Electoral Commission (EC) was trusted to declare credible results.

He indicated the NDC was convinced Mr Mahama won the election and will do everything possible to prove that.

The NDC and former President John Mahama have expressed their unwillingness to accept the verdict of the 2020 general presidential election.

The NDC’s claim seems to been further fueled by the EC’s admission of some errors in the results.

According to them, the results declared by the Commission were fictitious and could not be accepted.

Mr. Fuseini recommended this ‘parallel government’ approach to the Presidential Candidate of the NDC, John Mahama stating that it would serve as a catalyst for power returning to the party.

“I have said and I have advocated that he declares himself President and forms a parallel government.

“The impunity of this government (NPP) which is legendary must stop and that’s how we stop it,’ he said in an interview.

But the comment has since been condemned.

Taking to social media to call out the MP, the President of Imani Africa, Franklin Cudjoe described the statement as irresponsible and urged the former President to ignore it.

“Hon. Inusah Fuseini! You are very wrong! Your advice to JM to run a parallel government is absurd! JM must do no such thing,” he wrote.

Hon. Inusah Fuseini! You are very wrong! Your advice to JM to run a parallel government is absurd! JM must do no such thing.

— Franklin CUDJOE (@lordcudjoe) December 12, 2020

Irresponsible talk @inusahfuseini… how can that be…value peace https://t.co/FNYFqI9IkI

— ernest carlos myers (@niiaquillano) December 13, 2020

I want Inusah Fuseini to be the transitional leader to set up a parallel government for John Mahama since he is advocating for one and let see he is a man with balls

— Tere¥¥ (@Tere50163626) December 13, 2020

Declare yourself president, set up a parallel gov’t – Inussah Fuseini tells Mahama https://t.co/1bGGsm2Sus

— Media General News Hub (@MGNewsGH) December 12, 2020

seen the words used by inusah fuseini and we want to put this on record that myself and our entire group will not allow such irresponsible words turn our peaceful nation upside down. If anyone tries to turn this country into such a war zone we will resist them with all the forces

— Jacquesj (@Jacques08571155) December 13, 2020

Inusah Fuseini believes “parliament has overindulged the EC.”

This follows the inability of the Chairperson for the Commission, Mrs Jean Mensa to appear before the House on Thursday, November 5.

The EC was earlier invited to brief MPs on preparations towards the elections but the Commissioner couldn’t show up citing late notice.

Subsequently, the EC expressed its readiness to meet with Parliament on Saturday, November 7.

Parliamentarians are reported to have been enraged by the no-show with Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrissu demanding that the EC boss be held in contempt of Parliament.

MORE:

• US Elections: Kanye West wins 50,000 votes

• Lydia Forson puts her huge thighs on display [Photo]

But, according the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrissu, the EC boss should be cited for contempt of Parliament.

Speaking to JoyNews on Friday Inusah Fuseini added his voice to the lamentation adding that the Commission is acting with impunity.

“They have carried their neutrality and independence to absurd levels. The people of this country have elected Members of Parliament to come and represent them. The people of this country want to know how you are preparing towards the December election,” he explained.

The Tamale Central MP says this is the third time the Jean Mensah-led commission had refused an invitation from Parliament.

“You say you couldn’t come and this is not the first time but all of us should prepare to receive the EC because 30 days from now we are going to an election, this election is not like any other election.”

Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Parliament, he said Prof. Oquaye had projected Parliament as a strong independent institution of state that was not under the “apron strings of the Executive.”

Mr Fuseini, who is currently the Ranking Member on the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, entered Parliament in 2006 and had served the legislative body under the three previous leadership of Mr Peter Ala Adjetey (2001-2005), Mr Ebenezer Sakyi Hughes (2005-2009) and Ms Joyce Bamford-Addo (2009-2013)

Strong leadership

He said Prof. Oquaye stood out as he had demonstrated strong leadership that was accommodating of diverse views of both the Majority and the Minority.  

“Prof. Oquaye wants to leave his footprints on the sands of time in Parliament. Many things that are happening presently in Parliament can be directly traced to him. He also wants and has always projected Parliament as an independent institution of state, not under the apron strings of the Executive,” he said.

He explained how the current Speaker would often give legislators especially those from the Minority the opportunity to speak and inform other colleagues of the House.

“Prof. Oquaye has demonstrated that he is a man of his own and takes decisions considering the overriding interest of Ghana. This is why I think that the Speaker is doing tremendously well as compared to some other Speakers I have worked under.

“My overriding assessment is that he is fair and accommodating simply because he appreciates good, informed and well researched contributions, and gives equal opportunities to people to impact on parliamentary debate.

ALSO READ:

• Voters Register: Inusah Fuseini calls for arrest of offenders

• Speaker of Parliament fumes at some media houses

“And so he comes out clearly as my favourite Speaker. I have no doubt in my mind that I have enjoyed working with Prof. Mike Oquaye,” he stressed.

That notwithstanding, he said, some members of the House considered the Speaker as excessively partisan.

“This is expected because he is a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), was an MP for the NPP and was a minister of state under former President John Agyekum Kufuor.

“Prof. Oquaye brought the best out of me,” he added.

Legacy

Mr Fuseini said besides helping to expand facilities in Parliament, Prof. Oquaye deserved commendation for championing the adoption of the proposal for the enactment of the Private Members Bill and efforts to have it passed under his leadership.

“This will be his abiding legacy for a very long time as it will enrich law-making in this country