The Finance Ministry has categorically denied a newspaper allegation that Government through the Ministry sponsored Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ video “Enemies of the Nation”, which unraveled widespread corruption and bribery at the Tema Port.
The footage, which took the nation by storm, has received commendation from many Ghanaians including the President who visited the Port in anger.
The Enquirer newspaper in its Monday February 7 edition alleged that “the Finance Ministry quietly awarded a juicy contract to the Journalist with terms and reference which feeds into a quiet feud between that Ministry and the Ministry of Trades over Destination Inspection Companies”.
According to the Paper, although details of the contract are unclear, Government observers who heard of the sponsorship in what portrayed the entire Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority as corrupt, have viewed it as very unfortunate.
The “sponsored hidden video”, is also seen as a move by the Finance Ministry to back a certain reform position being pushed in government, according to the Paper.
The Paper further alleged that some security services such as the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), have been working tirelessly on broader investigations at the Port but has not received logistical support from the Finance Ministry.
But a Deputy Minister of Finance, Fiifi Kwetey has flatly denied Government sponsored the video. “Finance Ministry did not pay a dime, not one penny, not one pesewa” he told Host of Citi FM’s Breakfast Show Bernard Avle.
Mr. Kwetey said the publication was inconsistent and could not be true. According to him, if they (Finance Ministry) were on a warpath with the Ministry of Trade as the Paper suggested, “why would they have exposed CEPs or the Ghana Revenue Authority which falls under them?” he asked.
He said the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority falls directly under the Ministry of Transport and it was not possible for the Finance Ministry to target them as well.
“You will notice that the comprehensive nature of this video is affecting everybody. So clearly our focus must be on the national interest regardless of who is involved. Our focus must be on ensuring that we minimize the massive revenue hemorrhage that is taking place. Revenue that is critical for the transformation of our nation and for lifting our people out of poverty into taking us to where we need to be. As to some of these whole considerations being about warpath is irrelevant and petty” he said.
Mr. Kwetey said his Ministry has a cordial relationship with the Trade Ministry since the Finance Ministry works closely with all Ministries.
But the Managing Editor of the Enquirer newspaper, Raymond Archer has told Citi FM the report is accurate.
“I am telling you as a statement of fact that the investigation was sponsored by the Government, and that the Ministry of Finance was responsible for sponsorship of that investigation. There have been people within Government who woke up to the realization and begun to complain whether it was appropriate for the Ministry to do what it did. There are people who are also raising ethical issues about whether a Journalist can be paid for editorial content or sponsored by a Government against whom he is investigating to conduct his work.
“As for what Mr. Fiifi Kwetey has said, I just want to say that the Enquirer story is true and we stand by it. And I am sure that in the coming few days, these issues will be sorted out” he said.
According to Mr. Raymond Archer, the feud between the two ministries started over disagreements about whether or not the Destination Inspection Companies were relevant, and who deserved to be awarded the contracts.