The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Sulemana Braimah, says it was unnecessary for President Akufo-Addo to compare the acting Auditor General, Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu and his works done so far to his predecessor, Daniel Domelevo.
According to him, the acting Auditor General, who took office a few months ago, is working on a foundation that has been built by his predecessors.
Speaking on Top Story on Thursday, Mr Briamah said “I don’t think the comparison is necessary.”
“We all know that Domelevo was hounded out and we are clear about some of the reasons why the government felt uncomfortable with him. I wonder why the President will use just the last few months after Domelevo was driven out to then draw a conclusion that the current Auditor-General is doing quite well.”
His comment comes after President Akufo-Addo credited Mr. Akuamoah Asiedu for achieving feats that he says were not attained by the former Auditor-General, Daniel Domelevo.
Speaking at a meeting with the Ghana National Anti-Corruption Coalition members, he said the acting Auditor-General has surpassed expectations in his functions at the office.
“For instance, he is responsible for some things that are unheard of in our history. The 12 statutory reports that have to be compiled and placed before Parliament in the year, this is the first time it has ever been done.”
“Even the most touted Auditor-General before him never managed to do it [12 statutory reports placed before Parliament in a year], and this one has done it,” the President said.
However, Mr Braimah believes that the credit if there is any goes to Mr Domelevo for asserting his independence while in office.
This, he told the host Ernest Manu, has given the acting Auditor General the opportunity to build on the work that was done by his predecessor.
“Even if it turns out that he is doing quite well, it certainly would have been on the basis of the foundation that has been laid and the fact that Domelevo was able to assert that independence. I believe that the credit must go still to Domelevo, he had a lot to deal with,” Mr. Braimah said.
Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu was appointed by the Audit Service Board after his predecessor, Daniel Domelevo, was forced by the President to proceed on some accumulated 167-day leave back in August last year.
Mr. Domelevo was, however, forced to retire on March 3, in a letter from the Presidency shortly after his return from leave.
The move has been considered by many anti-graft campaigners as an affront to accountability which could derail the fight against corruption.
