President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has applauded the acting Auditor-General, Mr. Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu for his hard work in the fight against corruption.
According to him, Mr. Asiedu has demonstrated the quality of work and independence of view since his appointment.
President Akufo-Addo pointed out that these are clear indications of the Acting Auditor-General’s professionalism and readiness to fight against corruption.
The Audit Service Board appointed Mr. Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu to succeed the former Auditor General Daniel Yao Domelevo as acting Auditor-General in August 2020, after the latter was asked by President Akufo-Addo to proceed on his 167-day accumulated leave.
Speaking at a meeting with members of the Ghana National Anti-Corruption Coalition at the Jubilee House, President Akufo-Addo said the recent revelations in the Auditor-General’s report indicate that he will be independent.
He said the processes are underway to confirm him as the substantive Auditor General.
President Akufo-Addo added that Mr. Akuamoah Asiedu in his short stay in office has been able to do things that the “most touted” Yao Domelevo couldn’t do.
He concluded that per these few achievements, the acting Auditor-General’s confirmation process will gather more public support.
“The Acting Auditor-General has demonstrated sufficient quality and independence of view. For instance, he is responsible for some things that are unheard of. In our history, the 12 statutory reports that have to be compiled and placed before Parliament in the year of Parliament, this is the first time it has ever been done.
“Even the most touted Auditor General before him never managed to do it and this one has done it. I think on the basis of the work that he has done, the independence with which he has gone around with his work, if today efforts are made to confirm him, I believe it should be done, and that confirmation process will gather more public support.”
Domelevo retirement brouhaha
Domelevo was asked by President Akufo-Addo to proceed on accumulated leave.
On March 2, a day before Mr. Domelevo was scheduled to return from his leave, the Audit Service Board questioned his nationality and age.
The Board claimed Mr. Domelevo should have retired in 2020 and that he was a Togolese.
The Audit Service Board, based its claims on records at the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) provided by the Auditor General.
His date of birth is said to be June 1, 1960, and not June 1, 1961.
Mr. Domelevo however refuted these claims in further correspondence.
The Presidency endorsed the retirement claims of the Audit Service Board and said it considered Mr. Domelevo retired.
“The President is of the view that you [Domelevo] have formally left office,” a letter from the presidency said in response to the date of birth concerns.
In the letter, the Presidency thanked him for his service.
Even though critics and Civil Society Organizations have said the President acted in bad faith, President Akufo-Addo argued that his decision was justified.
