The Citizen Ghana Movement (CGM) has expressed dismay at the President’s decision to forcefully retire the Auditor General, Dominic Domelevo.
In a presser directed to the President, the movement averred that, Mr. Domelevo’s birthdate was valid and the movement says, still makes him eligible to hold the Office as Auditor-General.
“We are deeply dismayed by your decision to constructively and forcefully retire the Auditor-General, Mr. Daniel Yaw Domelevo, without recourse to him on the basis that he has reached the age of retirement.
“Mr. Domelevo’s passport, an official Government of Ghana identification document used to verify the biodata of Ghanaian citizens. By local and foreign authorities alike, lists his date of birth as 1st June 1961. Mr.Domelevo’s birth certificate and baptismal certificate also note the same date of birth. According to these records, Mr. Domelevo is 59 years old, and remains eligible to hold the office of Auditor General.”
Movement’s View On Audit Service Board Investigation
Accordingly, the movement was also of the view that, the Audit Service Board’s investigation into Mr. Domelevo’s date of birth was inconclusive. It said neither the Board, nor the Presidency have the authority or the expertise to decide his date of birth.
CGM posited that, the correct forum for determining the truth of his birthdate was in a court of law. The movement additionally said in the absence of a final judgment by a court, the President’s retirement of Mr. Domelevo is premature and arguably unlawful.
“The haste with which you retired Mr. Domelevo, following your arguably unconstitutional order directing him to proceed on accumulated leave last year, which is presently the subject of a number of lawsuits at the Supreme Court, lend credence to Ghanaians’ widely held suspicion that your government embarked on a premeditated witch hunt against Mr. Domelevo to stop him from uncovering corrupt schemes.”
CGM’s Concerns and Appeal
According to CGM, government has launched one of the gravest assaults on the 1992 Constitution and the fight against corruption by preventing an independent constitutional officer from exercising his lawful duties.
“It is a sad reality, that on the eve of the anniversary of our independence, we have to contend with such setbacks in our pursuit of a more just and accountable government. If we combine this to the debacle regarding the Special Prosecutor, and the lethargy of other anti-corruption agencies over your tenure, it appears you are working to silent all persons and institutions that demand accountability, in a manner characteristic of a dangerous constitutional dictatorship.”
The movement further appealed to the President to rescind his decision to forcefully retire the Auditor General. It described the decision as one that is a blight on his administration and one that would be a negative stain on his legacy.
In the statement also, the movement said they feel let down by the trend in the President’s administration.
“Like many others, we took you at your word and believed that you would fight corruption, but we have been sorely disappointed.
“We took to heart your urge that we be citizens and not spectators, and say that we will continue to fight for a better Ghana and resist all those who set her progress back as is happening now.”
