Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ACCRA580
2009-06-19 11:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Accra
Cable title:  

GHANAIAN PRESIDENT ADDRESSES ETHICS BUT CAUSES

Tags:  PGOV PINS KCOR XA XY GH 
pdf how-to read a cable
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RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAR #0580/01 1701152
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 191152Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 7935
C O N F I D E N T I A L ACCRA 000580 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2019
TAGS: PGOV PINS KCOR XA XY GH
SUBJECT: GHANAIAN PRESIDENT ADDRESSES ETHICS BUT CAUSES
POLITICAL CONTROVERSY

REF: ACCRA 41

C O N F I D E N T I A L ACCRA 000580

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2019
TAGS: PGOV PINS KCOR XA XY GH
SUBJECT: GHANAIAN PRESIDENT ADDRESSES ETHICS BUT CAUSES
POLITICAL CONTROVERSY

REF: ACCRA 41


1. (C) SUMMARY: President John Evans Atta Mills has made
restoring trust in the public sector a priority of his new
administration. Mills, a former law professor, is thought to
be a decent man who "does the right thing". He has
consistently said that he will not engage in a political
"witch hunt" but that he will not tolerate corruption. In the
first five months of his tenure, Mills has set the tone for
public vigilance on graft and self enrichment by enforcing
asset declaration regulations and reclaiming cars, furniture,
and other assets either taken or "purchased" by outgoing
politicians in sweetheart deals. Although Post believes these
are positive steps, his actions are being portrayed as
political score settling by many of his New Patriotic Party
(NPP) opponents. Most of the moves have not generated
unhappiness on the part of the public at large, and Mills's
credibility has been boosted by the suspension of Minister
for Youth and Sports Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak while
allegations of corruption are investigated. Media reports
indicate that former President Kufour moved out of his
state-owned office on June 5, 2009, although there are no
indications that Kufour is being accused of improprieties.
END SUMMARY


2. (U) Following his inauguration in January 2009, Mills
made clear his intent to address corruption in the public
sector. When swearing in his Cabinet, President Mills warned
the new Ministers that any officials who believe that they
have a right to exploit their offices for personal gain
should remove themselves from government. He mandated that
all government appointees comply with the constitutional
requirement to complete an Asset Declaration form and
introduced legislation permitting the Attorney General to
make public all declared assets. Currently, declared assets
are submitted to the Attorney General in sealed envelopes.
The legislation is currently before Parliament.


3. (U) Early in his administration, Mills placed on hold and
asked for a review of the decision of his immediate
predecessor to reward former members of the Executive and
Legislators with substantial bonuses when they left office.

He insisted on the return of one million Ghana cedis (clsoe
to $1million at the time of purchase) worth of luxury
furnishings and fittings removed by the former Speaker of
Parliament from his official residence and the return (with
reimbursement) of automobiles and other property purchased by
former officials at artificially low prices. Former Chief of
Staff to President Kufour and Minister for Presidential
Affairs, Kwodwo Mpiani, was brought in to the Bureau of
National Investigation (BNI) reportedly to be questioned
about financial improprieties in the "Ghana@50" celebration.
Mills's actions are being portrayed by NPP leaders as
political score settling. Although Post does not believe this
is the case, the waters are muddied by the fact that many of
those around Mills would like to respond in kind to what they
view as abuses by the Kufour government. So far, however, the
public at large, including NPP supporters, does not seem to
be particularly outraged at seeing politicians forced to
return cars and high value goods to the government.


4. (C) President Mills's credibility was bolstered by his
aggressive action against Minister for Youth and Sports
Mohammed Mubarak, who is accused of financial malfeasance
involving expenses made on behalf of the national football
(soccer) team. FSN Political Specialist was told by a
government Minister (protect) that when the allegations
surfaced, the President wanted the Minister arrested but was
dissuaded by the BNI. The President heard the Minister's
defense but was not convinced and asked for a written
explanation of the charges. When still not convinced by the
Minister's written statement, Mills put him on leave pending
the outcome of the investigation. Mills is sticking to his
guns even under pressure from his own party. A Muslim leader
from Kumasi told Poloff that he had urged the Vice President
to "forgive" Mubarak, noting that "to err is human" and that
"this is his first time." He said that the Vice President
replied that "the case must be allowed to run its course,"
implying that he would not intervene.


5. (C) In a possibly related incident, the media reported
that former President Kufour on June 5, 2009, vacated the
government-owned building he has been using as an office. The
former President's occupation of the bungalow had engendered
public debate and accusations that he had taken national
property without following procedures. The local Ga ethnic
group threatened action on the basis that all of Accra is "Ga
Land." In April, President Mills told the Ambassador that
the office issue had essentially become a non-issue once it
became clear that Kufour was not asserting ownership of the
property. Given Mills's statement, if Kufour was forced out
of the office, it may indicate that it was done without
Mills's knowledge. On June 17, President Kufour told the

Ambassador that he had been asked to move out of the office
and that he had done so. He insisted that there was no
impropriety on his part (and we believe him). He noted that
it is customary and legal for former Presidents to be
provided with an office and he is waiting for Parliament to
identify and approve a replacement.


6. (U) COMMENT: President Mill's personal integrity is
unquestioned. The question is whether or not he can convince
those around him to follow his example. Mills has
demonstrated his willingness to investigate malfeasance by
members of his own NDC party as those as the opposition. But
despite Mills's best efforts, he may be unable to stop
government officials from viewing the next four years as
their rightful turn to enrich themselves at public expense.
Post is concerned about the removal of Kufour from his
office. Although it appears to be legal, the Ambassador has
previously urged senior National Democratic Congress (NDC)
officials to treat Kufour with the dignity and respect that a
democratically elected former president (who urged his own
party to accept its electoral loss) deserves. END COMMENT
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