The CitizenGhana Movement, a non-Governmental Organization (NGO) says it is dismayed by President Akufo-Addo's decision to constructively and forcefully retire the Auditor-General, Mr. Daniel Yaw Domelevo, without recourse to him on the basis that he has reached the age of retirement.
In a statement sighted by ThinkNews Online, it said "Mr. Domelevo’s passport, an official Government of Ghana identification document used to verify the biodata of Ghanaian citizens by local and foreign authorities alike, lists his date of birth as 1st June 1961. Mr. Domelevo’s birth certificate and baptismal certificate also note the same date of birth. According to these records, Mr. Domelevo is 59 years old and remains eligible to hold the office of Auditor-General."
The communique also revealed that the Audit Service Board’s investigation into Mr. Domelevo’s date of birth was inconclusive and neither the Board nor the Presidency has the authority or the expertise to decide his date of birth.
It added that the correct forum for determining the truth in the matter is a court of law adding that in the absence of a final judgment by a court, President Akufo-Addo's retirement of Mr. Domelevo was premature and arguably unlawful.
"The haste with which you retired Mr. Domelevo, following your arguably unconstitutional order directing him to proceed on accumulated leave last year, which is presently the subject of a number of lawsuits at the Supreme Court, lend credence to Ghanaians’ widely held suspicion that your government embarked on a premeditated witch hunt against Mr. Domelevo to stop him from uncovering corrupt schemes" it stated.
The communique said "By preventing an independent constitutional officer from exercising his lawful duties, your government launched one of the gravest assaults on the 1992 Constitution and the fight against corruption since the advent of the 4th Republic. It is a sad reality, that on the eve of the anniversary of our independence, we have to contend with such setbacks in our pursuit of a more just and accountable government. If we combine this to the debacle regarding the Special Prosecutor, and the lethargy of other anti-corruption agencies over your tenure, it appears you are working to silence all persons and institutions that demand accountability, in a manner characteristic of a dangerous constitutional dictatorship"
It is emerging that given the brazen disregard for citizen views regarding the Auditor General, the Citizen Ghana Movement says it would be surprising if President Akufo-Addo heeds the call.
"We the CitizenGhana Movement (CGM), whose members were very instrumental in helping remove the previous government through our Occupy Flagstaff House, and Dumsor Must Stop street agitations, feel let down by this trend in your administration. Like many others, we took you at your word and believed that you would fight corruption, but we have been sorely disappointed" it noted.
Below is a copy of the release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The President of the Republic of Ghana
Jubilee House
Accra, Ghana
5 March 2021
Your Excellency,
CONSTRUCTIVE FORCED RETIREMENT OF THE AUDITOR-GENERAL
We are deeply dismayed by your decision to constructively and forcefully retire the Auditor-General, Mr. Daniel Yaw Domelevo, without recourse to him on the basis that he has reached the age of retirement.
Mr. Domelevo’s passport, an official Government of Ghana identification document used to verify the biodata of Ghanaian citizens by local and foreign authorities alike, lists his date of birth as 1st June 1961. Mr. Domelevo’s birth certificate and baptismal certificate also note the same date of birth. According to these records, Mr. Domelevo is 59 years old, and remains eligible to hold the office of Auditor General.
At best the Audit Service Board’s investigation into Mr. Domelevo’s date of birth was inconclusive and neither the Board nor the Presidency has the authority or the expertise to decide his date of birth. The correct forum for determining the truth in this matter is a court of law. In the absence of a final judgment by a court, your retirement of Mr. Domelevo is premature and arguably unlawful.
The haste with which you retired Mr. Domelevo, following your arguably unconstitutional order directing him to proceed on accumulated leave last year, which is presently the subject of a number of lawsuits at the Supreme Court, lend credence to Ghanaians’ widely held suspicion that your government embarked on a premeditated witch hunt against Mr. Domelevo to stop him from uncovering corrupt schemes.
By preventing an independent constitutional officer from exercising his lawful duties, your government launched one of the gravest assaults on the 1992 Constitution and the fight against corruption since the advent of the 4th Republic. It is a sad reality, that on the eve of the anniversary of our independence, we have to contend with such setbacks in our pursuit of a more just and accountable government. If we combine this to the debacle regarding the Special Prosecutor, and the lethargy of other anti-corruption agencies over your tenure, it appears you are working to silence all persons and institutions that demand accountability, in a manner characteristic of a dangerous constitutional dictatorship.
Given your brazen disregard for citizen views regarding the Auditor General, we would be surprised if you heed this call, but we will still make it. We appeal to you to rescind your decision to forcefully retire the Auditor General. It is a blight on your administration and would be a negative stain on your legacy.
We the CitizenGhana Movement (CGM), whose members were very instrumental in helping remove the previous government through our Occupy Flagstaff House, and Dumsor Must Stop street agitations, feel let down by this trend in your administration. Like many others, we took you at your word and believed that you would fight corruption, but we have been sorely disappointed.
We took to heart your urge that we be citizens and not spectators, and say that we will continue to fight for a better Ghana and resist all those who set her progress back as is happening now.
Like Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe, Private Odartey Lamptey, and the millions of other everyday Ghanaians who fought for our nation’s independence, we will resist oppressors’ rule with all our will and might forevermore. So help us, God.
----Signed----
CitizenGhana Movement
H Kwasi Prempeh, Kwaku Azar, Steve Manteaw, Anny Kareem-Abdi Osabutey, Ato-Kwamena Dadzie, Kojo Pumpuni Asante, Manasseh Azure Awuni, Thelma Tawiah, Sekyi-Brown Reginald, Selorm Branttie, Kinna Reads, Brigitte Dzogbenuku, Sara Asafu-Adjaye, Kofi Bentil, Kojo Boateng, Kojo Yankson, Dziffa Akua, Mawn Van Boven, Arabee Middleton Botchway, Selorm Branttie, Kwame Kyei-Baffour, Edward Boateng, Esi Arhin, Lolan Ekow Sagoe-Moses, Theo Acheampong, Amidu Ibrahim-Tanko, Umaru Sanda Amadu
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith