Ghana’s former President Jerry John Rawlings, in whose administration several government officials and civil servants were said to have been bribed by a British company, has called for a “quick and decisive” action for further investigationsinto the matter as demanded by President John Evans Atta Mills.

Rawlings, who is the founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which was returned to power in January this year, said in a statement that “probity, accountability and service to the people” are the basis upon which the party was founded.

“I have espoused these tenets since 1982 and have consistently reminded the current NDC government of the need to urgently pursue and prosecute persons who have been and continue to remain unaccountable to the people,” he said.

According to him, Ghanaians and the international community are watching closely how the Mills’ administration will handle these allegations.

“The quick response by President Mills in requesting further investigations into these allegations can only be applauded. However, hesitancy and inaction in the days to come will be seen as not serving the greater good.”

Rawlings repeated that since his party came to power in January, it has failed to pursue and prosecute the criminal activities of the past government, led by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), “who, in connivance with foreign partners, have stolen millions of dollars and accepted huge bribes.

“Let us not destroy the reputation of the NDC by being indecisive on this scandal. Government must act immediately and decisively,” he charged.

Mills on Friday instructed the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Betty Mould-Iddrisu, to request for detailed information from the United Kingdom following the conviction in a London court, of a UK company which pleaded guilty to making corrupt payments to some Ghanaian officials in the 1980s and 1990s during the administration of Rawlings.

A statement signed by the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, John Newman said: “President Mills has instructed the Attorney-General to request for detailed information from the authorities in the UK about matters that have now resulted in the conviction. This is to inform a course of action on the matter to include investigation in Ghana.”

The statement repeated the commitment of Mills to ensuring the highest standards of integrity, probity and transparency in the conduct of public officials, including he (the President) himself.

The court ruling on Friday named several Ghanaian politicians as having once received bribes from a British construction firm, Mabey & Johnson, in the 1980s and the 1990s.

The company pleaded guilty at the Southwark Crown Court in London, to charges of corruption and violating sanctions, paying Ghanaian government officials a total of 470,000 pounds sterling in bribes.

Dr. George Sipa Yankey, Minister of Health, Mr. Kwame Peprah, former Minister of Finance and Dr. Ato Quarshie, former Minister of Works and Housing were mentioned as having received money from the company.

Quarshie was said to have taken a cheque for 55,000 pounds sterling in 1995 whilst Yankey, who was then a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance, reportedly received a total of 10,500 pounds sterling.

Other persons, including Mohammed Seidu, took 5,000 pounds, Edward Attipoe received 10,000 pounds and Alhaji Sidique Boniface, Minister of Works and Housing under President John Kufuor, who was then a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance, took some 500 pounds sterling for school fees.

The company was said to have lobbied the government officials through one Kwame Ofori, whose influence had waned as at 1996.

The UK-based company reportedly executed three contracts, totalling 26 million pounds.

The company has so far agreed to make reparations to Ghana as well as the government of Jamaica, which it allegedly tried to influence, to be able to secure public contracts.

Tags: bribery, BUSINESS, corruption, ndc, Politics, rawlings, UK