The office of the President has intimated that, it is rather mischievous for the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) against corruption, to purport that the former Auditor General, Mr. Daniel Domelevo was a target by the President due to he being asked to proceed on leave. presidency

In an open letter from the presidency directed to the CSO’s on Mr. Domelevo’s retirement and related matters, it said that the President acted in pursuant to the understanding of the law and constitution.

“We stand by it as legal and proper. The office of the President also stands by the well accepted principle of public policy that; public servants should take their leave and not accumulate it. We note however, that the issue whether the President has authority to request the Auditor General to proceed on accumulated leave is pending before the courts and we await their views.”

Presidency on Domelevo’s Leave and Retirement

Commenting on the retirement of the Auditor General, the presidency disclosed that, Mr. Domelevo’s refusal to attend a special board meeting contributed to his retirement. The Presidency averred that, the former Auditor general could have used that opportunity to prove his actual date of birth; as it states in the records among other things.

“He ought to have provided his birth certificate to put the matter to rest to the extent that it could. But he failed or refused to do so. As far as SSNIT is concerned, Mr. Domelevo’s date of birth is 1^st June, 1960 and his date of retirement 1^st June 2020.

The letter also says, the President notes of the fact that, no credible information has been put out to show forth that, Mr. Domelevo’s date of birth was different from what they have.

Also, the letter explains that the Auditor General’s appointment disclose he was not the intended person for the position prior to the 2016 election but was appointed by the President, John Mahama, instead of Dr. Felix Kwame Aveh. Explaining the change of persons, the then Chief of Staff, Mr Julius Debrah says it was due to unforeseen development.

President A Strong Advocate Of The Office of the AG

Furthermore, the letter disclosed that, the President has always been a strong advocate of the office of the Auditor General because of his believe in the Auditor General’s work. The letter also noted, the President ensured that the Auditor General was provided with the necessary resources required for the efficient running of the Audit Service.

“President considered the work of the Audit Service a critical part of good governance. It’s thus not surprising to hear Mr. Domelevo acknowledge these efforts of the President during the Occupy Ghana Anniversary lecture held at the British Council on 14^th June 2019, where he states emphatically that he had been supported by the President.”

The letter moreover, indicated that, Mr. Domelevo, considered the support from the President as the practical way of fighting corruption and not by mere signs as some civil society organisations have been engaged in.

“This cannot be the position of a government that had targeted Mr. Domelevo and wanted him out at all cost. This assertion is completely baseless and must be totally disregarded.”