By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave
Member of Parliament for Garu, Dr Thomas Anabah, has said that while political appointees may be selected by governments, no appointing authority instructs them to engage in theft or abuse of office.
He made the remarks following the extradition of former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) Chief Executive, Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, from the United States to Ghana to face charges related to her tenure at the institution.
Speaking on GBC’s Current Agenda programme on Tuesday, Dr Anabah acknowledged that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) appointed Sedina Tamakloe to head MASLOC, but stressed that responsibility for misconduct cannot be placed on appointing authorities.
“I admit that the NDC appointed someone who failed them, but the person knows there are do’s and don’ts. No one appoints anyone and tells them to go and steal,” he said.
He argued that public office comes with clear ethical and legal expectations, and that individuals appointed into state institutions are expected to uphold those standards.
Dr Anaba further drew a distinction between political appointment and personal criminal responsibility, insisting that wrongdoing should be treated as an individual action rather than an instruction from government.
Sedina Tamakloe Attionu was appointed as MASLOC Chief Executive on October 22, 2013. She was later extradited to Ghana following legal processes involving both Ghanaian and United States authorities.
She is expected to stand trial over allegations linked to financial irregularities during her time at MASLOC.
The Microfinance and Small Loans Centre is a government agency mandated to provide microcredit to small businesses and individuals. It has, in recent years, faced scrutiny over management and financial accountability issues.
