The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has expressed strong disapproval of the involvement of elected officials in commercial transactions, particularly in reference to former President John Dramani Mahama’s role in the controversial Airbus deal.
The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, highlighted the concerns surrounding Mahama’s decision to engage in the deal, which was initiated by his brother, Samuel Foster Adam.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, August 8, Mr. Agyebeng emphasized that former President Mahama’s involvement in the Airbus deal, given his position as a key decision-maker and Chairman of the Armed Forces Council during the initial stages of the campaign, should have been approached with caution.
“Such close proximity dealings by such elected high officials of the Republic and their kin and close associates on behalf of the Republic should neither be viewed favourably nor encouraged,” Agyebeng asserted.
He pointed out that these actions could be perceived as influence peddling or a conflict of interest, potentially tarnishing the image of the office.
Agyebeng further argued, “The direct participation of the President and the Vice President (on behalf of the Republic) in commercial communications and meetings with commercial entities should not be encouraged either – as they expose these elected high officials to the spectre of the slightest hint of perceived corruption that may attend international business transactions. The President and Vice President should be insulated from such direct commercial dealings.”
Despite these criticisms, the OSP was clear in stating that no evidence of corruption was found against Mahama or his brother following an extensive investigation into the scandal.
“It seems to the OSP that the only reason why the Ghana Airbus deal found its way into the UK and US DPA was the fact that former President Mahama and Samuel Adam Foster were brothers of full blood and that former President Mahama directly participated in commercial communications and meetings with Airbus officials,” Agyebeng explained.
The OSP’s findings indicated that while there was an agency relationship between Airbus and Samuel Foster Adam, there was no evidence suggesting that any bribes were paid to Mahama.
“Indeed, to all intents and purposes and objectively viewed, an agency relation existed between Airbus and Foster and his associates by which Foster and his associates acted as business partners of Airbus in respect of the Airbus – Ghana deal under which Foster and his associates were to be remunerated success-based commissions,” Agyebeng concluded.
The controversy dates back to the purchase of three military airplanes, C295s, by Ghana from Airbus between 2011 and 2015, which was presented as part of the government’s effort to modernize the Ghana Air Force.
However, the involvement of high-ranking officials in the deal has drawn significant scrutiny, culminating in the OSP’s recent findings.