Airbus scandal: We’re not interested in OSP’s advice – Sammy Gyamfi

The National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has dismissed the advice given by the Special Prosecutor regarding former President John Dramani Mahama’s connection to the Airbus aircraft procurement.

While announcing the outcome of a four-year probe into the bribery scandal in which he exonerated the former President and other officials from bribery allegations, Mr Kissi Agyebeng expressed concern over Mr Mahama’s communications with Airbus officials in the purchase of the aircraft.

The Special Prosecutor noted that the direct or indirect involvement of highly elected public officials in such transactions raises potential suspicion of conflict of interest, suggesting that the former President ought to have known better.

“It ought reasonably to have occurred to former President Mahama and the Government of Ghana that the familial relationship between former President Mahama and Foster and the direct participation by former President Mahama in the communications and meetings with Airbus officials were bound to raise reasonable suspicions of improper conduct and dealings notwithstanding any claims to good faith conduct and above board dealings,” he said.

Mr Agyebeng therefore advised against the direct involvement of the President and Vice President in commercial dealings on behalf of the state.

In a rebuttal on JoyNews’ AM Show, Mr Gyamfi stated that the party is mainly interested in the exoneration of Mr Mahama rather than the OSP’s advice.

“The Special Prosecutor, after revealing his findings, proceeded to give advice. That is his advice; we are not interested in his advice.

“We are not interested in suspicions. We are interested in the bottom line. The bottom line is that there was no evidence found against Mahama in the Airbus Scandal,” he said on Friday.

The Communications Officer further questioned the expectations placed on Mr Mahama during his tenure as Vice President when the transaction transpired.

“The Military had decided to do business with Airbus, a company whose agent was his brother. What did we expect Mahama to do? Should he have resigned as Vice President?” he quizzed.

Source: Myjoyonline