The Coalition of Civil Society Organisation against Corruption has criticised the Akofo-Addo led government for taking a decision that would have a dire future consequence on the security tenure of independent public office holder.

According to the Coalition, the decision by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to forcibly retire the Auditor General Daniel Yaw Domelevo, sets a bad precedence for others to follow suit in the future.

The CSOs were of the concern Mr Domelevo was unlawfully targeted by the government, a reason after his return from the 167-day accumulated forced leave, he had been asked to go home for good.

Addressing the media yesterday, the Director of Advocacy and Policy Engagement at the Centre for Democratic Development CDD-Ghana (CDD-Ghana) one of the CSOs, Dr Kojo Asante said the Coalition is extremely disappointed and saddened by the development.

He said the manner, in which the President has handled the issues in concert with the Chairman of the Audit Service Board, Prof Edward Due-Agyemang proves the Auditor General was unduly targeted.

This follows a letter issued by the Office of the President and a decision by the Audit Service Board that Mr Domelevo should retire on the grounds that he will turn age 60 on June 1.

Dr Asante said the Audit Service Board has no legal justification under the laws of Ghana to make such determination of the rightful date of birth of the out-gone Auditor General.

“In addition, given the series of confrontation the Audit Service Board, particularly its chairman Prof Edward Due-Agyemang had had with Mr Domelevo, it was only fair and consistent with the rules of natural justice for the matter to have been referred to the appropriate state agency of authority for its determination,” he added

He said the unilateral decision to forcedly retire Auditor General Demelevo, a day after his return from the forced accumulated leave, confirms the CSOs believe Mr Domelevo has been unfairly targeted.

The CDD-Ghana Policy Director stressed that while this is happening, the Supreme Court had since not called the two suits filed by Professor Kwaku Asare, relating to the constitutionality of the Auditor General’s forced accumulated leave by the President in July and October 2020.

Although he said the Coalition have confidence in the court, the two suits pending before the Supreme Court go beyond Auditor General Domelevo and the President’s action, which they must expedites the process to make determination.

“The suits border issues of whether or not a President could exercise administrative authority over Independent Constitutional Bodies (ICBs). Therefore, it is important for the Supreme Court to deal with these suits expeditiously to prevent any such actions by a future President.

“In the interest of promoting good governance, constitutionalism and public accountability, we call on the Supreme Court to deal with these two suits as soon as practicable.”

The Executive Director of Ghana Integrity Initiative Mrs Linda Ofori-Kwafo described the situation as unfortunate, adding that among all the Auditor Generals that have come and gone, Mr Domelevo stood out. 

She prayed that the new person that will be appointed must be competent and brave like Mr Domelevo.

By Akutu Dede Adimer