By: Maame Efua Kwaduah
Co-Chair of the Citizens Movement Against Corruption, Edem Senanu has stated that it is a significant milestone for a sitting president to initiate an investigation into a former president, with the investigation exonerating the former president.
Speaking to Happy Kasiebo, Mr. Senanu pointed out that the likelihood of an institution mandated to conduct such an investigation doing so within the sitting president’s tenure is often underestimated.
He commended the Special Prosecutor’s bold step, noting that it sets an important precedent for future investigations.
In response to the Office of Former President Mahama’s call for President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Bawumia to submit themselves to the same level of scrutiny, Mr. Senanu acknowledged that investigations must be triggered by specific issues. He questioned the necessity of such scrutiny if no formal issues are raised for investigation.
He emphasized that while laws and precedents are in place, the process depends on formal requests to investigate specific issues.
He argued that the dissatisfaction some people express about the investigations must be addressed with explanations.
He praised the Office of the Special Prosecutor for its transparency and thoroughness, noting that their approach involved a detailed chronology of events.
He revealed that the timeline distinguished between the Airbus negotiations and the later engagement of the former president’s brother as an agent across several African countries
Mr. Senanu explained that this distinction demonstrates that the transaction and its negotiations were completed before the brother became involved, negating any potential influence on the transaction.
He added that the conclusions drawn align with those from investigations in the U.S. and the U.K and questioned how anyone could dispute these findings when they understand the issues and definitions of corruption being explored.
“So, I don’t see how anyone who is following the chronology and understanding the issues plus the definitions of corruption we are exploring can have a difficulty with this conclusion. It aligns with the conclusions of the U.S. and the U.K”