The Coalition of Civil Society Oranisations (CSOs) Against Corruption has described President Akufo Addo’s directive asking the Auditor General to proceed on a mandatory accumulated leave as unconstitutional and regrettable.
They have thus launched a campaign to solicit support from Ghanaians to seek justice for the Auditor General, Mr Daniel Yaw Domelovo, whom they believe have not been fairly treated.
According to the CSOs, such actions only “weaken our quest for good democratic governance grounded in the principle of checks and balances, rule of law and the pursuit of public accountability” and is, therefore, asking for a remedial action to be taken.
Read this : Office of the Presidency responds to Auditor-General’s claims on his directive to proceed on leave
Mr Domelevo was directed to take his accumulated leave of 123 days by the President on 29th June 2020. The directive which was to take effect on July 1, 2020, according to the office of the President was necessary since Mr Domelevo had refused to take his annual leave since he assumed office even after being directed by his board of governors.
The 123 leave days were later increased to 167 days in a letter from the Office of the President after Mr Domelovo wrote to the president making some claims which suggested that the directive to take his leave was a deliberate attempt to sabotage him.
Read also: Audit Service Board Instigated Akufo-Addo’s Order for Domelevo to Take Accumulated Leave
Meanwhile, the directive which explained that the President’s decision was based on sections 20 (1) and 31 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) requested the Auditor General to hand over official duties to the Deputy Auditor-General until he resumes.
Addressing the media, the about five hundred CSOs across the country said: “We find the entire episode and the justification for the President’s action regrettable and inconsistent with both the letter and spirit of the 1992 Constitution.”
The groups are of the view that the Auditor-General since his assumption of office has shown exemplary leadership and should not be left to fight this battle alone.
They are therefore urging all Ghanaians to rise and rally behind the Auditor-General in seeking fair treatment.
“This action is a warning and a huge discouragement to public office holders who desire to stand up and be counted. This is not an NPP or NDC matter. This is about Ghana; whether it is an NPP or NDC government, we want an independent Auditor General.”
The CSOs said they are calling on all well-meaning Ghanaians to join them in their campaign to “#BringBackDomelevo beginning today”.
Source: Victoria Enyonam Adonu/ATLFMNEWS
