By Gifty Boateng
Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Industrial Holding Corporation (GIHOC), Maxwell Kofi Jumah, left office with his official vehicle, despite a ban on vehicle acquisition by the then Akufo-Addo government.
According to reports, the in-law of former President Akufo-Addo, did not only leave office with his official vehicle, costing the debt-ridden Company $90, 000, he apparently auctioned the property to himself at a paltry sum of GHc40, 000.
This was disclosed by the deputy director of operations at the presidency, Mustapha Gbande recently.
“He managed to purchase a vehicle that was bought $90, 000 after using it as his official vehicle he auctioned it to himself GHc40, 000. What kind of reasoning is this?” Gbande retorted to Captain Smart of Onua television fame.
Speaking on a number of issues including the recent arrest and detention of the Ashanti Regional chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, Gbande assured the government of President John Mahama, will continue to demand accountability from former government officials and party members.
In the specific case of the former MD, the deputy general secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) accused him of using his privileged position as in-law of the then president, to bulldoze his way through while serving as CEO.
He is alleged to have retorted that he will do as he wishes because no one can do anything to him.
The NDC national executive member, promised government will do everything within the confides of the law to ensure Jumah accounts for his stewardship and return what rightfully belongs to the state
“We’re not done arresting. Maxwell Kofi Jumah, who’s living in Kumasi, if I disclose his crime you will be shocked. He had power to say that he is in-law to President Akufo-Addo so no one can do anything to him.
He can go to heaven and back, I heard he is unwell he will take his drugs in Police station”.
He further disclosed that earlier before the interview, security operatives went to his residence to retrieve the said vehicle, but he reportedly absconded. Even though the said vehicle was not retrieved, a different company vehicle was seized.
Additionally, the deputy director of operation at the presidency accused Jumah of rendering glass factory belonging to GIHOC Distilleries Company Limited in a hopeless state,
“Last week the police went to his house, but he ran away but they seized one of the cars. Glass factory in Kumasi belonging to GIHOC Distilleries Company Limited he has destroyed it.
These are the kinds of characters who had the offertory to sit on radio and said if you leave your office and join demonstration, I will sack you. At that time what law was in force”?
Recall that in the run up to the 2024 general election, the government of President Akufo-Addo announced that, no appointee of his will be allowed to purchase their official vehicle.
After losing the election and few weeks to handing over, the administration issued another statement reminding appointees of the earlier order. Notwithstanding this, the former MD is alleged to have broken the ban.
He is not alone in this as in recent past, there have been reports of appointees and member of the NPP taking state vehicles home. A typical example is the Ashanti Regional chairman popularly known as Wontumi.
A statement signed by the then director of Communications, Eugene Arhin, the directive emphasized that no government vehicles will be made available for acquisition by appointees, marking a continuation of the policy first introduced at the end of the then president’s first term in 2020.
“The Office of the President reiterates the directive regarding the acquisition of official government vehicles by outgoing Ministers, Deputy Minister, Regional Minister and other political appointees at the end of the current administration’s term in office”, the statement said.
“For clarity, all Ministers of State, Deputy Minsters, Regional Ministers, Special Assistants, Special Aides to the President and Vice President, and other political appointees, including those serving as Chairpersons or Members of Statutory Board and Corporations, are required to comply strictly with this directive.
All government vehicles in the possession of these appointees must be returned to the Chief Director of the relevant Ministries no later than Friday, 3rd January 2025”, release dated December 11, 2024 said.