Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has distanced himself from corruption allegations levelled against him by investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas of Tiger Eye in his yet to be released exposé.
On Monday, the journalist in a Facebook post accused Charles Adu Boahen, then Minister for State at the Finance Ministry of corruption in his interactions with investors.
Anas Aremayaw Anas alleged that the former Minister requested an amount of USD200,000 from investors under cover to be given to the Vice President.
“Charles Adu Boahen, Minister of State in charge of Finance at the Office of the President, has revealed to Tiger Eye that the Vice President, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, needs just USD200,000 token as an appearance fee and some positions by an investor for the Vice President’s siblings to get his backing and influence in establishing a business in Ghana.
“This revelation was made in a meeting with Tiger Eye investigators, who in an undercover investigation, posed as businessmen, in a hotel room in the United Arab Emirates. This was an investigation into top-level corruption that undermines investor confidence in Ghana.
“According to Charles Adu Boahen, the Vice President needs an appearance fee of only USD 200,000 for him to avail himself and offer his support to an investor,” parts of his post read.
Reacting to this, the Vice President has noted that he is “not aware of any such meeting held by Minister Adu Boahen or a supposed “appearance fee”.
According to Dr Bawumia, his most cherished asset in life is his integrity, thus, “I will not allow anyone to use my name to engage in corrupt activities.”
He also noted that Mr Charles Adu Boahen must be dismissed should he be found culpable of the allegations levelled against him.
“I would like to state that if what the minister is alleged to have said is accurately captured in the video, then his position as a minister of state is untenable. He should be dismissed summarily and investigated,” he wrote.
Briefly after the Vice President’s comments, the Presidency in a press statement sighted by The Independent Ghana, has announced that the appointment of Mr Charles Adu Boahen has been terminated.
President Akufo-Addo only dismissed the Minister after reaching out to him on the matter, the statement noted.
Meanwhile, the Presidency has revealed that it would “refer the matter to the Special Prosecutor for further investigations.”
The exposé dubbed “Galamsey Economy” by Anas Aremeyaw Anas will be premiered today at 8PM at the Accra International Conference Centre.
Source: The Independent Ghana