The Minority in Parliament has raised concerns over what it describes as a potential conflict of interest involving President John Mahama and his brother, Ibrahim Mahama, particularly in relation to the latter’s reported interest in acquiring the Damang Mine.
According to the Minority, the issue goes beyond the president’s use of his brother’s private jet and centres on the broader implications of Ibrahim Mahama’s business dealings with the state.
Speaking to journalists in Parliament on Thursday, March 26, former Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister and Minority Spokesperson on Lands and Natural Resources, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, said that the situation raises serious constitutional and ethical questions.
He pointed to Article 284 of the 1992 Constitution, saying that public officials must avoid situations where personal interests could influence their duties.
“A public officer shall not put himself in the position where his personal interest conflicts or is likely to conflict with the performance of the functions of his office,” he said.
Mr. Ampratwum-Sarpong said that the issue goes beyond the use of the jet itself, pointing to Ibrahim Mahama’s business interests and potential involvement in major state-related ventures.
“The president’s brother is not a stranger with no stakes in the state. He’s a businessman with significant existing and prospective state contracts, currently bidding to acquire Ghana’s most commercially significant gold mine, the Damang mine,” he stated.
He said that this development makes the relationship between the President and his brother more sensitive, especially in light of decisions that may affect the mining sector.
According to him, any form of benefit or close association in such circumstances risks creating the impression of undue influence.
“The provision of substantial benefits by such a person to the president who controls the levers of the state is precisely the relational conflict that CHRAJ jurisprudence prohibits,” he said.
This comes after Engineers and Planners Company Limited (E&P), which belongs to Ibrahim Mahama is planning to invest approximately $1.2 billion into its Tarkwa and Damang mines to boost mining activities.
As part of efforts to strengthen operations and expand capacity, the indigenous mining firm has dispatched thirty (30) semi-knockdown Caterpillar 785D Dump Truck units to its operational base in Tarkwa.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com