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20th February, 2010
CHRAJ WARNS PARLIAMENT...You can't Review Ruling On Ayariga
The Commissioner for the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Justice Francis Emile Short, has indicated to the Appointments Committee of Parliament that the committee does not have the right to review its decision regarding outgoing Presidential spokesperson, Mahama Ayariga’s purchase of 5 Kubota tractors meant for underprivileged farmers.
Speaking to the Times in a telephone interview in Accra yesterday, he said the Appointments Committee and Parliament only asked for a copy of the body’s decision, but CHRAJ did not know what they intended to do with it.
“The Appointments Committee cannot review our decision, they have no power or authority to review our decision. Only the Supreme Court can repeal our decision,” he explained.
He said CHRAJ does not have any problem with the committee desiring to have a copy of their decision. “The only concern CHRAJ has with parliament has to do with the attempt to subject its decision to a review.
“If the Appointments Committee or Parliament was seeking to review and reconsider or examine CHRAJ’s decision then that raises serious concerns,” he said.
Justice Francis Emile Short stressed that since CHRAJ respected the authority of Parliament and the Appointments Committee, the former also expected them to respect the authority of the Commission as a constitutional body, just like parliament.
“I’m not sure what they are doing with the report but we are waiting to see”, the Commissioner told the Times, adding that the Appointments Committee does not have oversight functions over CHRAJ, therefore reviewing the decision will raise a serious concern.
The Appointments Committee has withheld the vetting and approval of the deputy minister-designate for the Trade and Industry Ministry, Mahama Ayariga.
The Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) found him innocent of the charges of wrong doing in the purchase of tractors from the Ministry of Agriculture. The Commission said it could not find adverse facts against the former Presidential Secretary.
The Progressive Nationalist Forum (PNF) dragged Ayariga to CHRAJ, arguing he inappropriately abused his office and bought tractors that he was not entitled to.
The forum claimed the tractors acquired by Mahama Ayariga formed part of some 2000 tractors and their accessories procured by the government of Ghana for underprivileged farmers across the country to boost food production and security in the country.
He was alleged not to have passed through the right channel, as the tractors were to be applied for by companies and cooperative bodies.
But after examining all the evidence provided by the PNF and Ayariga, CHRAJ said it came to the conclusion that Mr. Ayariga did not violate any regulations, neither was there any shred of evidence to substantiate the allegations against him.
He was cleared on the eve of his appearance before the Appointments Committee over his acquisition of tractors for deprived farmers. He was alleged not to have passed through the right channel, as the tractors were to be applied for by companies and cooperative bodies.
Speaking to the Times in a telephone interview in Accra yesterday, he said the Appointments Committee and Parliament only asked for a copy of the body’s decision, but CHRAJ did not know what they intended to do with it.
“The Appointments Committee cannot review our decision, they have no power or authority to review our decision. Only the Supreme Court can repeal our decision,” he explained.
He said CHRAJ does not have any problem with the committee desiring to have a copy of their decision. “The only concern CHRAJ has with parliament has to do with the attempt to subject its decision to a review.
“If the Appointments Committee or Parliament was seeking to review and reconsider or examine CHRAJ’s decision then that raises serious concerns,” he said.
Justice Francis Emile Short stressed that since CHRAJ respected the authority of Parliament and the Appointments Committee, the former also expected them to respect the authority of the Commission as a constitutional body, just like parliament.
“I’m not sure what they are doing with the report but we are waiting to see”, the Commissioner told the Times, adding that the Appointments Committee does not have oversight functions over CHRAJ, therefore reviewing the decision will raise a serious concern.
The Appointments Committee has withheld the vetting and approval of the deputy minister-designate for the Trade and Industry Ministry, Mahama Ayariga.
The Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) found him innocent of the charges of wrong doing in the purchase of tractors from the Ministry of Agriculture. The Commission said it could not find adverse facts against the former Presidential Secretary.
The Progressive Nationalist Forum (PNF) dragged Ayariga to CHRAJ, arguing he inappropriately abused his office and bought tractors that he was not entitled to.
The forum claimed the tractors acquired by Mahama Ayariga formed part of some 2000 tractors and their accessories procured by the government of Ghana for underprivileged farmers across the country to boost food production and security in the country.
He was alleged not to have passed through the right channel, as the tractors were to be applied for by companies and cooperative bodies.
But after examining all the evidence provided by the PNF and Ayariga, CHRAJ said it came to the conclusion that Mr. Ayariga did not violate any regulations, neither was there any shred of evidence to substantiate the allegations against him.
He was cleared on the eve of his appearance before the Appointments Committee over his acquisition of tractors for deprived farmers. He was alleged not to have passed through the right channel, as the tractors were to be applied for by companies and cooperative bodies.
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