The Great Consolidated Popular Party’s (GCPP) Presidential Aspirant, Dr. Henry Herbert Lartey is demanding an enquiry to unravel the full details involved in the sum of money late Nigerian leader, Sani Abacha offered to former Ghanaian leader, Jeremiah John Rawlings.Â
Dr. Lartey has petitioned both the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to open investigation in to the matter adding the issue remains on the minds of Ghanaians although under military rule, citizens feared for their lives hence could not express their true thoughts but with democratic dispensation in place, the time was ripe for answers.
He noted that as a supposed champion of probity, accountability and transparency, Rawlings should not be perturbed but welcome the opportunity to set the records straight.
J.J. Rawlings
The GCPP leader pointed out that it was not enough that Rawlings acknowledged receiving $2m from Abacha as other reports quote $5m and other sums. He wants the two bodies to also establish if the death of late Nigerian environmentalist, Ken Saro Wiwa had any link to the money Abacha sent to Rawlings?
Jerry Rawlings maintains that Abacha offered the money when it was unsolicited for to support Ghana at the time to hoist its fledgling democracy but Dr. Lartey insists a proper account must be rendered to the people and if found blameless fine but when found guilty must be made to face the constitutional sanction.
Dr. Lartey bemoaned the loss, the sale of Ghana’s Black Star Line caused pointing out all the captains Nkrumah trained to man the fleet were rendered jobless.
Sani Abacha
He also wanted the two state institutions to ascertain if the Rawlingses have a stake in the Ghana Rubber Estate.
He observed on ‘Eye Witness News’, that for a supposed anti-corruption crusader nicknamed Junior Jesus who murdered late Heads of State  Gen. Fred Akufo, General Akwasi Amankwaa Afrifa and Gen. I. K. Acheampong over alleged corrupt acts there was a need to know the whole story regarding the Abacha money.
Asked if the time to hold Jerry Rawlings accountable had not elapsed, Dr. Lartey intimated that CHRAJ and EOCO will determine that.
On his presidential ambitions, Dr. Lartey stated the GCPP was even stronger after his father’s death, adding the domestication message resonated with the people and while on tour the response of citizens has been encouraging.