This Saturday on Newsfile: three scandals, new revelations, unanswered questions.
When complaints are made, and institutions fail to act; when millions of cedis are spent, but records remain disputed, and when money allegedly connected to a visa scandal is returned, what does accountability really mean? This Saturday on Newsfile, we examine three controversies raising difficult questions about public trust, institutional responsibility and the search for the truth.
The Obuasi Senior High Technical School sexual-abuse scandal continues to deepen, with the number of reported complainants rising to 19. Two education directors have been asked to step aside to facilitate investigations, while allegations that 38 teachers were targeted for transfers have raised concerns about possible retaliation against whistleblowers.
The NDC, which initially directed the accused headmaster to withdraw from its constituency chairmanship contest, reversed that decision in the name of natural justice and the presumption of innocence, before directing him to step aside again. Meanwhile, the headmaster has reportedly sued Manasseh Azure Awuni and Multimedia Group Limited for GH¢2 million in defamation damages. But as the allegations are investigated, who is protecting the students?
Does the presumption of innocence prevent authorities from taking precautionary measures to safeguard children and preserve public confidence? If complaints were brought to the attention of school and education officials months earlier, who knew, what action did they take, and will anyone be held accountable for failing to act?
With civil society organisations calling for a sex offenders’ register, mandatory background checks and stronger school safeguarding systems, how can Ghana protect children without unfairly branding people whose guilt has not been established? And what changes are needed to ensure that no school becomes the scene of similar allegations?
From the safety of schoolchildren, we turn to the management of public funds. The GH¢49.72 million spent on evacuating 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa remains the subject of a heated dispute between the government and the Minority. Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa insists that every cedi has been accounted for.
The NPP Minority, however, says its examination of the records has uncovered discrepancies involving passenger manifests, allowances and supporting documentation, raising questions about GH¢16.4 million in expenditure.
JoyNews‘ independent examination has also identified errors in passenger records, including impossible dates of birth, prompting Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria to acknowledge mistakes affecting 15 records.
The mission attributes those inaccuracies to passport expiry dates being entered in place of dates of birth, insisting that the errors do not establish financial loss. But the controversy has now moved beyond clerical mistakes to the cost of charter flights. The Minority is questioning the reported US$750,000 price tag for each of three flights and demanding original contracts, airline invoices and procurement records.
Were the flights procured competitively? What services were covered by the reported charges, and were any intermediaries involved? Can the Ministry demonstrate not merely that money was paid, but that the services were delivered at a reasonable cost? The government says the expenditure is fully accounted for, while the Minority insists that questions remain.
With a special audit reportedly requested, will an independent examination finally reconcile the figures and establish whether the discrepancies are administrative errors, weaknesses in record-keeping or evidence of more serious irregularities?
And in the unfolding World Cup visa scandal, a reported US$26,000 payment to police on behalf of suspended National Sports Authority Director-General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah has introduced another twist. The payment is said to be part of US$56,000 allegedly received as commission in connection with visa arrangements.
Ampofo Ankrah denies wrongdoing, and the reported repayment is not proof of criminal liability. But who made the payment, under whose instructions, and for what purpose? Was it a refund to an applicant, a recovery of disputed money or part of an arrangement to settle the matter privately?
And what happened to the investigation into alleged abuse of public office and financial irregularities involving public institutions and private intermediaries? Should the OSP become involved, and how should its mandate be coordinated with the CID’s ongoing investigative role?
More importantly, can returning money extinguish criminal liability if an offence has been committed, or must investigators still establish how the money was obtained, who benefited, and whether public office was used for private gain? Is Ghana investigating a suspected criminal enterprise, or will the matter ultimately be treated as a financial dispute resolved by repayment?
Three stories, one fundamental test: whether institutions can be trusted to protect the vulnerable, account for public money and investigate allegations without fear or favour.
From the classrooms of Obuasi to the evacuation accounts and the World Cup visa controversy, the public deserves more than denials, accusations and promises of investigations. It deserves answers supported by evidence, fair processes and accountability where wrongdoing is established.
This Saturday, join Samson Lardy Anyenini and the Newsfile panel as we interrogate the latest revelations, examine the competing claims and ask the questions that matter.
Newsfile airs live on the JoyNews channel on digital satellite channels 421 on DSTV and 144 on GoTV, and streams on JoyNews’ Facebook or YouTube channels on Saturdays from 9 am to noon.
Viewers can also follow the discussion by tuning in to Joy 99.7 FM or Luv 99.5 FM on the radio or stream the discussion live on either Google or Apple Podcasts.
When it’s Saturday, it’s Newsfile!
Newsfile is your most authoritative news analysis programme.
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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
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