Is Tony Aidoo a scrap dealer?

General News of Saturday, 17 November 2012

Source: Joy Online

Nana Akomea Hair

The Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party Nana Akomea is amused at the explanation being given by the Head of Policy Monitoring and Evaluation Dr Tony Aidoo for his purchase of a Ford Expedition that was part of a presidential convoy.

Dr Tony Aidoo is being accused by the NPP of abusing his office by buying a vehicle that was part of ex-president Kufuor’s convoy at a paltry sum of 6,200 cedis.

The NPP’s deputy Director of Communications Sammy Awuku at a press conference claimed the Ford Expedition had an impeccable servicing record and was being sold at 60,000 cedis.

He accused Tony Aidoo of breaching procedures and buying the vehicle at a give-away price.

But Dr Tony Aidoo has scoffed at the allegation. In an interview with Joy News he conceded that he bought the Ford Expedition at an auctioned price of 6,200 cedis but was quick to add that the vehicle was not in the shape the NPP would have the world believe.

According to him, the car had been abandoned at a workshop in Sakumono with several parts, including a gear box not available.

He insisted he followed the right procedures in purchasing the vehicle and hinted of a court action against the NPP for suggesting he breached procedures in his purchase of the vehicle.

But the NPP will not budge.

On Multi TV and Joy FM’s news analysis programme Newsfile, Nana Akomea said the explanation being given by Dr Aidoo was amusing and hypocritical.

He cited examples in 2009 when the NDC government spokepersons accused NPP officials of looting state cars and actually went on a seizing spree, seizing cars some of which belonged to private citizens.

He said Dr Tony Aidoo played a lead role in that crusade.

“They invaded the homes of people to go and collect cars they said had been looted. This same Tony Aidoo went to the home of Kwabena Agyapong; invaded his home and took a photograph of his car that he said had been illegally looted.

“…Today, he as senior official at the office of the president is buying a car from the office of the president and when you ask he says, there was an auction, innocent Tony Aidoo. He says the car, it didn’t have gear box and the windscreen was melting and the air condition wasn’t working. Now, Tony Aidoo, is he a scrap dealer?” he questioned, provoking laughter from some of the panel on the show.

A deputy Information Minister James Agyenim Boateng who was also on the show said he was not abreast with the issue about Tony Aidoo’s purchase of the vehicle.

He however said it may be best for public officers to totally divorce themselves form buying state properties.