Gov’t Sued Over Forced Domelevo Leave Directive

Some Civil Society groups have sued the Government of Ghana over President Akufo-Addo’s directive to force Auditor General Daniel Domelevo on leave.

In a statement, the CSOs had expressed hope that the President would have rescinded his decision after their earlier petition however that has not materialised therefore they have no option than to go to the Supreme Court.

See excerpts of the statement below:

“The undersigned Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), represented by our lawyers, have, today, Monday, 26th October 2020, filed a writ at the Supreme Court, challenging the June 29, 2020 directive of the President that has sent the Auditor-General, Mr. Daniel Domelevo, on involuntary leave since Wednesday, 1st July 2020. The President has appointed Mr. Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, an officer of the Audit Service, to act as Auditor-General during the 167 working days that the Auditor-General is supposed to be away on forced leave.

“It will be recalled that on 7th July 2020, a coalition of CSOs called a press conference in response to the President’s action and issued an appeal to the President to rescind his directive to the Auditor-General. The coalition of CSOs, which included the undersigned organizations, expressed grave concern over the constitutional and governance implications of the President’s action.

Both the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) and the English-Speaking section of the African Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI-E) also implored the President to reconsider his decision. We indicated at the July 7 press conference that we would consider recourse to legal action to defend the Constitution and the independence of the Auditor-General should it become necessary.”

Below is the list of CSOs involved in the court action

1. Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana)

2. Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII)

3. Citizen Ghana Movement

4. Africa Center for Energy Policy (ACEP)

5. Parliamentary Network Africa

6. Penplusbytes

7. Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)

8. SEND Ghana

9. One Ghana Movement

Source: GhanaFeed.com