Domelevo’s loyalty was to Mahama – Akufo-Addo
The Presidency has said former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo was appointed “to pursue a particular agenda”.
In response to Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) concerning the exit of Mr Domelevo, Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante, stated several factors in a 21-page open letter dated March 19, 2021.
Primarily, the letter pointed out how former President Mahama orchestrated to have Mr Domelevo in office, although President Akufo-Addo was taking over the mantle.
“…having lost his mandate to govern, former President Mahama appointed Mr Domelevo to the office, knowing very well that President Akufo-Addo would be sworn into office in a few days to pursue a particular agenda.”
The statement said the presidency has been concerned about the debate the issue has generated on social media, implying that President Akufo-Addo is not committed to the fight against corruption.
It refuted allegations that the President wanted Domelevo out of office at all cost.
The statement said outgoing President John Mahama, having lost election 2016, had the appointment process rushed through the Council of State for Domelevo to be appointed.
It cited a letter from Chief of Staff at the time, Julius Debrah, served at short notice, seeking the consideration of the Council of State on the President’s request to replace Dr Felix Kwame Aveh with Domelevo as Auditor-General.
The release stressed the fact that Domelevo was not the choice of President Akufo-Addo to be the Auditor-General, but was backed to succeed.
The statement claimed that President Mahama succeeded in his plan to saddle Akufo-Addo with an Auditor-General whose allegiance was to Mahama, by ensuring that Domelevo was appointed on December 30, 2016, a week to the swearing-in of incoming President Akufo-Addo.
The statement said, contrary to speculations, President Akufo-Addo believed in the office of the Auditor-General as a necessity for protecting the public purse, adding that the office was provided with resources that enhance the efficient running of the Audit Service.
The statement gave examples of the President continuing to work with constitutional office holders appointed by former President Mahama, adding that Joseph Whittal, CHRAJ Commissioner and Josephine Nkrumah, Chairperson of the NCCE, fell in the same category.
“It beggars belief that notable public personalities avowed to the rule of law, would in the face of the President’s public record, seek to paint him as a petty-minded authoritarian who disregards the rule of law as a result of personal dislike, ill will or malice,” concluded the statement.