The Jubilee House has rejected the petition to recall Auditor General Daniel Domevelo from his controversial leave.
Some Ghanaians abroad petitioned the Presidency to bring back the Auditor General saying the decision to ask him to go on leave was an affront to Ghana’s democracy.
But responding to the petition, the Presidency said the various arguments being raised in the petition were first considered by the President before the directive was issued.
Meanwhile, Pressure Group OccupyGhana has backed calls for President Akufo-Addo to reverse his directive to Auditor General Daniel Domelevo to proceed on leave.
It comes after several civil society groups signed a petition for the outspoken anti-graft campaigner to be brought back to work.
The President in a statement directed the Auditor General to proceed on his accumulated leave.
The move has sparked anger among some Ghanaians with some questioning the President’s commitment to the fight against corruption.
Below is a statement by OcuppyGhana
OccupyGhana® has observed with great disquiet the circumstances leading to and following the President’s directive to the Auditor-General to proceed on an ‘accumulated leave.’ We find it difficult reconciling that directive with the constitutional injunction under which in the performance of his functions, which necessarily includes the mundane matter of whether, when and how he takes his leave, the Auditor-General is insulated from the ‘direction and control of any person or authority.’
While it may be best industrial, governance and management practice for every worker, including the Auditor-General, to take an annual leave, we think the constitutional insulation of that office is clear and leaves no room for any penumbra within which the presidential directive may operate. Even if there was, which we dispute, the circumstances of this matter should have given the Executive a great opportunity for exercising restraint of power and the development of the constitutional check and balances inherent in the creation and protection of independent constitutional bodies.
Ours is still a nascent democracy that requires all of us to assist in upholding the independence of constitutionally protected bodies such as the Auditor-General, the Electoral Commission, CHRAJ and the Judiciary. Ghana would be the ultimate loser if presidential power is deployed to micromanage any of these independent constitutional bodies, contrary to the express terms of the Constitution.
Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com
