Anane re-nominated for Transportation Ministry

Page 3, Feb 14, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE battle by Dr Richard Anane, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Nhyiaeso and former Minister of Transportation, to redeem his political image moved a notch further yesterday with his nomination by the President to re-occupy the office he resigned from to fight the battle.
The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice some time last year made adverse findings of conflict of interest, abuse of office and perjury against Dr Anane and recommended, among others, his removal from office.
Dissatisfied with the findings, Dr Anane resigned his post and contested the matter at the High Court, where the CHRAJ’s decisions were quashed.
However, CHRAJ’s application filed at the Supreme Court for certiorari, which sought to quash the High Court’s decision was dismissed by a 4-1 majority decision after which some of the admirers of the former minister called for his re-instatement.
At yesterday’s sitting of Parliament, the Speaker, Mr Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi Hughes, informed the House that the President had nominated Dr Anane for consideration as the substantive Minister of Transportation.
A communication from the Presidency quoted the Chief of Staff, Mr Kwadwo Mpiani, as saying that the President had directed him to inform the House of Dr Anane’s nomination.
The announcement was greeted with “hear, hear” by MPs from both sides of the House.
The Speaker referred the nomination to the Appointments Committee of the House for consideration and report.
MPs interviewed by the Daily Graphic, however, expressed varied opinions about Dr Anane’s nomination.
Some MPs from the Minority side of the House viewed Dr Anane’s nomination as a confirmation of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) having lost the “men” it boasted before its assumption of power.
They vowed to raise the issue on the political platform to chastise the NPP for rewarding the sins of Dr Anane with political appointment.
However, the MP for Asuogyaman and Deputy Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, Mr Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, rebuffed the Minority side’s views, explaining that the President had done well for recognising the unbridled loyalty of Dr Anane who had worked hard since the NPP took power and resigned honourably when there was the need to do so.