A minister from former President John Kufour’s cabinet, Kojo Mpianim, was interrogated yesterday (June 2) by Ghana’s top investigative unit, the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI).
The hours-long process raised the political temperature in the capital, Accra. The former minister, who went there on his own upon invitation, was accompanied by three lawyers. He was interrogated on issues related to Ghana’s 50 years celebration in 2007, Ghana International Airline which was formed after the liquidation of Ghana Airways, the construction of a new presidential palace and other issues.
Rumors circulated yesterday evening among his fellow former ministers and party members that he was taken to an unknown destination. This led the former ministers to march to the premises of the BNI to demand his whereabouts.
A deputy minister of information denied the rumors in a rebuttle, saying that Mr. Mpianim was not taken out to any other destination. He was released close to midnight after which he addressed his supporters and party members who had gathered in his house.
The minister is to return today for the continuation of the process.
For most people, this process should have started earlier as concerns were raised about how public funds were used under the supervision of Mpianim. He was at one point called to account to parliament on some of these issues when he was in office. His answers then were very snobbish.
As usual, his party members and fellows are referring to the interrogation as witch-hunting. One ex-minister, Mr. Asamoah Boateng, said on an Accra FM that this is a direct attack on the former President Kufour and his entire administration. Mr. Mpianim was also the Chief of Staff of the past administration.
It is feared that very soon other past government officials will have to go through the same process which might lead to prosecutions. There have been calls from anti corruption activists for some past government officials to be tried for their alleged roles in misuse of public funds. These activists said the government was slow in bringing such alleged wrong doing to book.