Police Set New Date For #FixingTheCountry Movement Protest Over Airbus scandal
The Ghana Police Service have agreed on a new date for the planned protest by the pressure group #FixingTheCountry Movement over the Airbus scandal.
The police, in a letter written to the group convener, Ernest Owusu-Bempah, dated October 17, noted that the new date for the pending protest is November 16.
“The Accra Regional Police Command acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 29/09/2023 on the above subject matter. Pursuant to a meeting held between you and the police on 17/10/2023 at the Regional Police Headquarters, Accra. It was agreed that; The date for the demonstration has expired, and a new date, 16/11/2023, has been scheduled”.
The police further outlined the appropriate routes to be used by the protesters during the exercise.
“You will converge at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park and proceed to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) where a petition shall be presented. You will then move along the route through the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GD) to the Fire Service Headquarters Traffic Intersection, to Aliu Mahama Junction, Cantonments Post Office and proceed to the Office of the Former President H.E. John Dramani Mahama where a second petition will be presented”.
The police also requested the convener to submit a new letter confirming the date and route assigned by the police.
Earlier, #Fixing The Country Movement presented a letter to former President John Dramanai Mahama to officially inform him of their planned picketing of his office on Thursday, November 16, 2023, over the Airbus scandal.
In the letter, Mr Owusu-Bempah said they have been on the heels of the Office of the Special Prosecutor for urgent action on the Airbus SE corruption case.
He said former President Mahama’s name featured prominently in the case.
“The European aircraft manufacturer has admitted paying bribes in Ghana when it sold three military aircraft to the country dating back to 2009 -2015 when you were in full control of governance.
“As a matter of fact, the company admitted hiring your brother, Adam Mahama as its consultant in the sale of the aircraft”.
“Indeed, the €35 million involved in the purchase of the aircraft as at the time was equivalent to $40 million and I am wondering why Ghana should spend $40 million to buy an aircraft that was selling at $25 million on the market”.
“Respectfully Sir, everyone who is privy to the core details of the series of court documents published by the Department of Justice (DOJ) of the United States and the Serious Fraud Office”.
“(SFO) of the United Kingdom cannot allege ignorance of the persons who have brought our nation into this international shame”.
“The Fixing The Country Movement has every reason to believe that government official 1 codenamed in the US court documents is no other person than your good self”.
“Whereas we do not doubt the competence of our investigative authorities to get to the bottom of this massive international corruption, we’re not enthused at the nonchalant attitude being deployed on the Airbus corruption – Hence, our petition to the OSP.
We are also fortified by the knowledge that as a former president, and someone running for office again, you will avail yourself soon to clear the air on the Airbus corruption”.
“Indeed, you owe it to the good people of Ghana who reposed their confidence in you as president for 4 years,” the letter to former President Mahama stated.