Convener of Fixing the Country Movement, Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah, has announced that the movement will go ahead with its picketing at former President John Dramani Mahama’s office, the US Embassy and British high Commission if investigative agencies do not take up the Airbus Scandal by November 16, 2023.
According to the group, they believe former President Mahama’s culpability in the corruption case as established by admissions and supporting court documents from the US and UK.
Thus, the group has demanded the Ghanaian investigative bodies to open a thorough inquiry into the Airbus corruption scandal.
“In all honesty, the Fixing the Country Movement holds the view that Mr Mahama has a lot of questions to answer and as such we want to pursue a public manifestation to bring attention to the issues that have been allowed to die a natural death by our investigative authorities.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the media, if after the 16th November public manifestation, there’s still no action in that regard, Fixing the Country Movement will continue to lead a citizens coalition to congregate and picket in front of the office of former President John Mahama, the US Embassy and the British High Commission until action is taken on the Airbus saga… We believe in public accountability and want to reiterate the point that no one is above accountability.”
Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah
While expressing his disappointment in the disinterest of investigative agencies on the case, Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah underscored his trust in the capacity of investigative agencies to deal with the case to its logical conclusion.
“We do not doubt the competence of our investigative authorities to get to the bottom of this massive international corruption, but like most Ghanaians, we’re growing skeptical of the lip service being paid to the Airbus corruption saga,” Mr. Owusu Bempah stressed.
In a statement, signed by Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah Bonsu, Convener – Fixing the Country Movement, the group announced its date for picketing as November 16, 2023, as agreed with the Police per the Public Order Act (Act 491).
“It has been a marathon back and forth with the police regarding the date of the protest, but we’re happy to announce that Thursday, 16th of November 2023 has been slated as the day for our public manifestation.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the media, section 1 of the Public Order Act (Act 491), provides that any person who desires to hold any special event in any public place shall notify the police of the intention not less than 5 days before the date of the special event.”
Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah
According to the group, the public manifestation is a result of “the nonchalant attitude being deployed by our investigative authorities on the Airbus corruption saga.
The group specifically expressed its disappointment in the Office of the Special Prosecutor for the utter delay with the case. The group stressed that despite its attempts to fast-track the investigations, the OSP has been very lackadaisical in cooperating with the group.
Mr Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah Bonsu also indicated that the group has since its announcement to picket at the office of the former president received threats of all sorts from the NDC.
“Specifically, the NDC Greater Accra Youth Organizer, Amos Blessing Amorse has publicly declared “fatwa” on our membership and even threatened to physically unleash thugs on us.”
Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah
He advised the NDC “thugs” to desist from such acts.
“It is quite obvious that there’s a distinct lack of perspective around here, and we will advise these NDC thugs to drop their convoluted theatrics and learn a thing or two from King Lear in the Shakespearean era, who died before he could reconcile himself to his loss.”
Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah
However, the Fixing the Country Movement said it remains resolute on its demand.
READ ALSO: Ofosu-Kwakye Demands Accountability Of VRA On Tongu Districts Floods
