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Dr. Anane, absolved of charges, speaks to the media
Accra, Feb. 26, Ghanadot/GNA- Dr Richard Winfred Anane, the
reappointed presidential nominee for Minister for
Transportation post on Tuesday explained that he
has been absolved of the allegations that lead to his
resignation from that ministerial portfolio.
In a close to three hours' appearance before the Vetting
Committee of Parliament in Accra, Dr. Anane said a Supreme
Court verdict had cleared him of the allegations of findings
of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice
(CHRAJ), which led to his resignation in October 2006 to
contest.
The Commission, in 2006 made findings of perjury, conflict
of interest and abuse of power against the Witness, who is
also the MP for Nhyiaeso in the Ashanti Region, but the
in-coming Minister, said the case ceased to exist once the
Supreme Court expunged it from its books.
Dr. Anane told the Committee that, if there were any lessons
from the process of the case against him, it was the victory
of the rule of law. "In so far as the legal systems are
concerned, the things that were not cleared have been
cleared," he said.
The Minister designate, who had also held the Health
portfolio, said he
was ready to serve in whatever capacity the President
appointed him.
When asked whether, from “his heart of hearts,” he wanted to
serve again as the Minister of Transportation, Dr Anane said
the question was difficult to answer, but added that he
would serve in that capacity if the President wanted him to
do so.
He added that, he did not know why the President decided to
give him back the Ministry of Transportation.
He stated that he did not lie to the Vetting Committee when
he first appeared before it for which the CHRAJ made a
finding of perjury against him.
tions, Dr Anane said; "my
reaction will be in reaction to the merit of the
allegation."
He dismissed a suggestion that his continued stay in a
Minister's residence, despite having relinquished his
position was a drain on the taxpayer's money, explaining
that his continue stay in that premise was because he had
not been given any residence as MP.
Moreover, he said, he footed utility bills from his own
resources.
Dr Anane initially declined to comment on the upkeep of a
son he had with an American mistress, explaining it was a
personal problem.
He however, later said he had been remitting his son in
Florida, USA, but his lawyers had streamlined the remittance
for the upkeep of his son, and not as a gift.
The Minister designate answered also questions on problems
road construction, and announced that the Ministry was
streamlining the operations of contractors to avoid shoddy
work and get value for money.
GNA
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