Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu has clarified that President John Mahama deliberately absented himself from Cabinet discussions concerning the Damang Mine lease to ensure ministers could deliberate and decide freely. This move was prompted by the involvement of Engineers & Planners, a company with ties to the President’s brother, Ibrahim Mahama.
Cabinet Deliberations and Presidential Recusal
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Monday, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu explained that when the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources presented the Damang Mine matter to Cabinet, President Mahama stepped aside. He emphasized that the President did not participate in the meeting where the lease was considered.
This decision, according to Mr. Kwakye Ofosu, was an ethical measure to prevent any appearance of undue influence. The President believed recusing himself was the appropriate action given his brother’s interest in Engineers & Planners.
The meeting was subsequently chaired by the Vice President, who facilitated an open discussion among the ministers. This allowed for a thorough examination of the proposal without the President’s presence potentially swaying opinions.
Addressing Minority Accusations
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu directly refuted accusations from the Minority that President Mahama was orchestrating a mine takeover for his brother. He stated that any such claims are unsubstantiated based on the available evidence.
He highlighted that the Cabinet’s decision was not to grant the concession directly to Engineers & Planners. Instead, the ministers insisted on a competitive bidding process to ensure fairness and transparency.
This competitive process was undertaken publicly, with the committee responsible for evaluating bids explaining the selection criteria and the reasons for other companies not being chosen. This transparency aimed to build public confidence in the government’s decision-making process.
Ensuring Open Dialogue and Rigorous Debate
The spokesperson further elaborated on the impact of the President’s absence. He suggested that the President’s presence, even without direct intervention, could have subtly influenced the ministers. His absence, therefore, fostered an environment where ministers felt empowered to express their views without fear.
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu described the ensuing debate as
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