Parliamentary oversight is a vital function of Parliament, essential for ensuring that the executive branch of government is held accountable for its actions.
Members of Parliament (MPs) play a crucial role in this process, serving as the eyes and ears of the public in monitoring the government’s activities.
Accordingly, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the MP for North Tongu has categorically rejected attempts by Asaase Broadcasting Company Limited to misrepresent his parliamentary oversight duties.
Ablakwa vehemently denounced these efforts as a desperate and futile attempt to undermine his commitment to truth and integrity.
“My attention has been drawn to a rather evasive and disingenuous rebuttal from Asaase Broadcasting Company Limited. Asaase Broadcasting Company Limited has woefully failed to point out any misleading claim in my earlier publication”.
“As correctly indicated in my earlier publication, it is the Judicial Service of Ghana that has initiated legal action, wherein they state without equivocation that Number 7, 5th Circular Road at Cantonments belongs to the Judicial Service of Ghana”.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Ablakwa added that the Judicial Service of Ghana has consistently argued in court that the alleged sale of the property at Number 7, 5th Circular Road, Cantonments, is null and void, being in clear violation of the constitution and the law.
He stated that according to the Judicial Service of Ghana, the building in question was last used by their colleague, Justice F. G. Korbie.
Ablakwa revealed that his parliamentary oversight has uncovered evidence contradicting Lands Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor’s claim that former President John Mahama sold all the lands currently being contested in court by the Judicial Service of Ghana, proving that the reality is different.
He pointed out that ironically, Asaase’s statement supports his argument, revealing that the disputed land was sold by President Kufuor in 2006 to Mr. Fosuaba Banahene, who was the GETFund Board Chairman at the time.
The North Tongu MP noted that it is intriguing that Asaase Broadcasting Company Limited failed to correct the record when the Lands Minister falsely claimed at a highly publicized press conference that the land in question was sold by President Mahama.
The company’s inaction is particularly striking, given Asaase’s recent efforts to respond to Ablakwa’s claims on the matter.
Ablakwa Seeks Answers On Asaase-Lilly Homes Connection
Moreover, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa asked why Asaase Broadcasting Company Limited is attempting to construct “an imaginary Chinese Wall” between Asaase and Lilly Homes when the connection between the two is evident.
Ablakwa pointed out that Asaase Broadcasting Company Limited’s calls for truth and integrity ring hollow, as they failed to fully disclose a crucial fact.
He noted that specifically, Asaase failed to disclose that Nana Adjoa Hackman, wife of Asaase director Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, serves as both director and sole shareholder of Lilly Homes, a connection conveniently omitted.
“According to official incorporation documents, the directors of Asaase Broadcasting Company Limited are Gabby Otchere-Darko, Nana Adjoa Hackman, Elizabeth Ohene, Reginald Laryea, Joseph Roberts-Mensah, Joseph Ofori-Atta, Charles Mensah and Cecilia Balowu”.
“It is absolutely misleading and dishonest to create the impression that Lilly Homes and Asaase Broadcasting have no connection whatsoever and that Asaase Broadcasting is merely a tenant. That all the key actors in this matter, from the 2006 sale to the latest Asaase/Lilly Homes transactions are politically exposed persons cannot be challenged”.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Ablakwa pointed out that, notably, Nana Adjoa Hackman, who was the director and sole shareholder of Lilly Homes during the 2020 purchase, also served as President Akufo-Addo’s representative on the GNPC board at the time.
He pointed out that the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government has failed to deny or contest the allegations made by the Judicial Service of Ghana at any point.
Ablakwa stated that, indeed, both the Ministers of Lands and Works and Housing are on record as having stated that they are currently negotiating with the Chief Justice to explore an amicable resolution of the matter and to compensate the Judicial Service of Ghana.
As such, he vowed to stay committed, determined, and unflinching in his crusade against State Capture, refusing to back down or be intimidated.
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