The Executive convener of the Dynamic Youth Movement of Ghana (DYMOG) Edward Tuttor has said the ruling of the Supreme Court over a controversial $2.25Billion 2017 bond issued by Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta has opened the floodgates for corruption in Ghana.
According to him, the apex court has set a precedent for family and friends cronyism, thereby oening the floodgate for corruption.
DYMOG filed a lawsuit in January 2018 seeking “a declaration that by interpreting Article 284 of the 1992 Constitution (as disclosed between paragraph 3 of page 127 and paragraph 3 of page 133 of the Report) the 2nd Defendant has contravened Article 130(1) (a) of the 1992 Constitution.”
The group also sought a declaration that “by issuing or overseeing the issuance of the said bonds to Templeton without disclosing his relational interest with a director at Templeton, one Trevor G. Trefgarne, the 1st Defendant has acted in contravention of Article 284 of the 1992 Constitution.”
The Supreme Court threw the case out for being without merit.
In reaction to the ruling, Mr. Tuttor who expressed strong disagreement with the court said the Supreme Court ruling on the Eurobond means public officials are free to be corrupt hence forth.
“The ruling means that officials can now award contracts to their relatives, appoint their close relatives to office and if you are able to prove that such contracts do not go to the direct benefit, they are free to do so. The Supreme Court has opened the floodgate for corruption”.
He indicated that DYMOG will hold a forum to highlight their disagreement with the ruling and how it will impact public administration.
“We are going to hold a forum to discuss the implications of the SC decision on the Eurobond case”, he added.
