Ace Investigative Journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, has denied reports that he was paid by some State Institutions to carry out the mind-blowing undercover work at the Tema Port which revealed widespread corruption and bribery amongst CEPS officials.
Anas told Accra based Radio Station Joy FM on Friday February 11, that he only collaborated with some State institutions to expose the rot in the interest of the State.
His response tallies with that of Deputy Information Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who explained that the yet-to-be named State agencies only collaborated with Anas.
There have been media reports that Anas was paid by Ministry of Finance to do its bidding against some CEPS officers and the Ministry of Trade, which is at logger-head with the Finance Ministry over the GCNET system.
But Anas has stated that all these are false. The Crusading Guide man, who has been in South Africa since the hullaballoo, has arrived in the country and says he is sad about the spin being put on his work. “Whiles I was away, my name virtually was a household name. And when I look back, I look back with a lot of sadness” he said.
Anas, who enumerated a list of his works in and outside Ghana, some of which were life-threatening, said he only works with the interest of the State at heart and nothing more or less.
He said in some of his works in Ghana, he has collaborated with several institutions to be successful and sees nothing wrong with it. “Over the years, we have collaborated with state institutions and this doesn’t constitute funding. I have collaborated with TV stations including TV3 and all that. Currently if you go to the police with any idea that is good and will benefit the State, you will be assisted” he said.
Anas admitted that his Cocoa smuggling investigations at the Elubo Border was triggered by the Ghana Cocoa Board.
“The Cocoa Investigations was triggered by Ghana Cocoa Board. Let anybody show me a written contract that shows that I have charged this or that. Can anybody pay me for my life? He asked.
“In the Cocobod investigation, I needed a truck full of cocoa, so they provided those logistics for me to move forward. The security agencies supported me because in that story, I was in arrested and put in cell for two days, and the police helped to release me. So if they were not supporting me in my work, how would I have been released?” He asked.
According to Anas, those who are seeking to discredit his work are corporate institutions that were found culpable in the video.
“These things are being done by those in business who are robbing the State of so much money. As I speak now, millions of dollars are being retrieved. I am a very happy man because this is what I have been seeking to achieve”.
Anas has urged journalists who have attempted to dishonour his work by raising issues of ethics, to joins hands with him to expose the rot in society in the interest of the State, and elevate themselves above party politics to please certain individuals.
“In spite of the gains we can all get from this investigation, some people want to raise issues about who funded what and all that”.
One of the companies exposed in the video evading taxes, Servistar, has threatened a legal suit against Anas for vilifying their reputation. But the latter has dared them to go ahead.
“I dare Servistar to go to Court. What jokes are they playing in this country? GCNET has confirmed my story and have said they were providing evidence in those cases to deal with them. It’s a huge joke. They should proceed to Court with the alacrity. In this work, every single line is supported with evidence” he said.
“I know the things people made to stop me from doing this. After blowing the whistle, if we decide to investigate the electronic system, what will come out will be awesome”. The interesting thing is that many of the companies have called me to tell me they are shocked. And they said their agents may not have paid the amounts and that they were now willing to pay all the amounts. What is beautiful is that, all these companies are willing to pay” he said.
Anas expressed his gratitude to Ghanaians who have supported him in his work and thanked God that in spite of the risk, he still lives in good health to serve his country.
Asked whether he thinks his various works were yielding the desired results and transforming society, Anas said “There is a silent revolution. It might not be obvious to everybody. But today, if you go to the Cocoa sector and anybody is doing a shoddy deal, what comes to mind is my name and they are scared to do it. Since my work, if you are told how much revenue Cocoa Board has generated, you will be shocked”.
Anas hinted of his new investigations which he described as Easter package, to be released in April. He said the video is mind-blowing.
He said he has already been to the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority (DVLA), which was also linked to the rot at the Tema Port. He laughingly told officials of the DVLA not to panic or stay alert since he has already been there.
“As for my focus towards the national agenda, it is unblemished and straight forward. We are building a nation and such contributions are necessary” he noted.