Ghana: PPP anti-corruption march finally goes ahead

Following approval by Ghana's police forces the much awaited Progressive People's Party (PPP) protest against corruption finally did go ahead last week. There was an interesting tagline from a PPP national youth coordinator "Divine Nkrumah" that corruption under the Mahama government was like a "General Mosquito" causing infection that should be eliminated immediately.

The term "General Mosquito" has often been used to refer to NDC General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia , who is currently arguing for the abandonment of the party's internal Electoral College system in favour of a less secure voting system.

 

PPP protesters, carrying a range of attention-grabbing banners, relayed accusations of misappropriation of government funds and controversial "judgement debt" cases. They also echoed suggestions from PPP communications director, William Doworkpor, including the reduction of executive power, separating the Attorney General's office from the Ministry of Justice to prevent partisan interference, and setting up a new, impartial "national commission" to investigate judgement debt cases.

 

Despite the PPP's anti-corruption calls some observers have questioned the party's own claims to be above the fray on probity matters. For example the local Research and Advocacy Platform (RAP) group has accused PPP flagbearer - and former 2008 Convention People's Party (CPP) presidential candidate - Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom (above) of being involved in corruption at the State Enterprises Commission (SEC) while working on an SEC contract in the late 1980s. The group said that Nduom fraudulently claimed to be a representative of a noted US accounting firm. Previous accusations against Nduom have claimed that he was paid a significant sum in US Dollars for his services and that he was eventually appointed to the SEC while still a contractor which is a significant conflict of interest that he has yet to explain.

 

It has been alleged that Nduom was saved from further investigation by the intervention of the US Embassy and that the matter was never resolved. RAP is now calling for the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) to reopen investigations. No political party in Ghana, no matter how small, seems safe from corruption allegations against its senior members.

 

For more news and expert analysis about Ghana, please see Ghana Politics & Security.

 

© 2013 Menas Associates

GE reaches settlement with SEC over Iraqi Oil for Food Programme

GE has reached a settlement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding its involvement in Oil for Food Programme. SEC had found that two of GE’s subsidiaries, along with other subsidiaries of public companies acquired by GE, made illegal cash payments, and in-kind payments of computer equipment, medical supplies, and services to the Iraqi Health Ministry and the Iraqi Oil Ministry in order to obtain valuable contracts under the UN Oil for Food Programme.

SEC has said that GE’s conduct violated provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that relates to keeping and maintaining accurate books and records and implementing sufficient controls to prevent inaccurate recording of transactions. Based on SEC's findings, GE has agreed to pay a $1 million penalty and to disgorge around $22.5 million in profits these subsidiaries are estimated to have earned.

GE has stated that it is “committed to the highest standards of conduct in all transactions”, and that the business dealings in connection to the Oil for Food Programme did not meet their usual “standards”. GE co-operated fully with the SEC investigation, and has received confirmation that the US Department of Justice will not take any further action in relation to these matters.

For more news and expert analysis about Iraq, please see Iraq Focus.

© 2010 Menas Associates