By: Doreen Ampofo
The Fixing the country Movement has set a date to begin a series of actions to compel the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to take action on the air bus corruption scandal in which former President John Mahama is allegedly cited.
The scandal which broke in 2020 has not seen any prosecutions in Ghana despite court documents in the US and UK indicating that Airbus had paid bribes to former top government officials in the sale of three military transport aircrafts to Ghana.
At a news conference in Accra and addressed by Lead Convener, Ernest Owusu Bempah, the group said they will picket the Office of former President who is perceived to be government official One as cited in the documents as well as the office of the Special Prosecutor to compel him to act.
According to the group court documents shows documents for the sale were falsified in making payments to disguise the payment of bribes to GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL 1, citing paragraph 136 of the US Court documents which it said described Government official I as having a reputation for bribe taking.
The group said the current Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyabeng had in a public statement indicated that he was investigating the matter. However after more than a year of this pronouncement and after writing to the office no response or update has been received, a reason they have noticed to begin picketing at the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the office of the former president from November 16.
According to Ernest Owusu Bempah, they want the Ghanaian justice system to open a thorough enquiry on the Airbus corruption because the group strongly believe the former President culpable in the Airbus scandal.
He said the groups holds the view that Mr Mahama has a lot of questions to answer and as such they want to pursue a public manifestation to bring attention to the issues that have been allow to die a natural dead by our investigative authorities.
“We believe in public accountability and want to reiterate the point that no one is above accountability. If after the 16th November public manifestation, there’s still no action in that regards, Fixing the Country Movement will continue to lead a citizens coalition to congregate and picket in front of the office of former President John Mahama, the US Embassy and the British High Commission until action is taken on the Airbus saga”.
Mr Owusu Bempah said the group has been receiving threats since it served notice to picket at the former president’s house.
“Since the day we served notice to engage in this public manifestation, we have received threats from various NDC quarters. Truth is, we’re unperturbed and unfazed by any of the shenanigans flying around. We’re ready for the actual action on November 16, 2023 bearing in mind that we have complied with the statutory requirement to give notice to the police, and indeed the subsequent arrangement with the police for protection paves the way for the protest to come off as planned.”
The Fixing the Country Movement plans to handover a petition to the Special Prosecutor and the Former President.
Hashtag for the picket is #ChaseJMkronuairbus.