Sammi Awuku
Sammi Awuku is a Member of Parliament (MP) on a special mission, the successful end of which should prick the conscience of our compatriots. It could also serve as an important litmus test for our fight against corruption at the highest level of government.
Are we winning or listing in our over-flogged integrity campaign as a country?
The MP is demanding under the opportunities offered by the Right to Information (RTI), invasive answers to questions about a strange ship which was impounded by the Navy under the direction of the Ghana Maritime Authority last July.
It reminds us about the aircraft which developed a puncture and made an emergency at then Kotoka International Airport at a time when dumsor struck.
It also reminds us about the impounded container full of dollars and belonging to a certain mysterious Alhaji who is yet to be identified since the incident made the headlines.
With oversight responsibility over such matters, the Akwapem North MP is vice chairman of the Public Administration and State Interests Committee of Parliament, and we expect the Ghana Maritime Authority, which has promised to cooperate regarding the queries, would live up to expectation.
Such cooperation is not a favour, but as a public institution, it owes Ghanaians a duty to be transparent as it addresses the questions being posed by the MP on behalf of all of us.
MV Sankofa flying a Sao Tome and Principe flag has been denied by the former Portuguese country, denial which raises questions about integrity.
Why was the ship flying another country’s flag clandestinely?
Having been found on Ghanaian waters without convincing documentation, the vessel could not also provide many of the required documents in line with international maritime law, according to the MP.
Someone however popped up with some of the documents anyway; eight out of the required fourteen, and dubious anyway.
While in detention under the watch of the Navy, the vessel slipped away under bizarre circumstances, question about which constitutes one of the pillars of the MP’s queries.
The vessel has been detained by Senegalese authorities who have demanded of Ghana her knowledge about it, adding that they suspect it of engaging in narcotic business.
Ghana has denied any link with the said vessel, and we ask whether in the response to the Senegalese email the authorities did indicate how the ship was detained in Ghana but let go in the end?
The questions are many but suffice it to ask whether or not the fine of GH¢12m slapped on the ship owners for regulation violations under Ghanaian law was paid?
Who allowed the ship to set sail from detention under the watch of the Ghana Navy?
Why was the automatic identification system of the vessel non-functional at the time of arrest?
Who are the Ghanaian crew and who owns the vessel?
We smell something fishy and join the MP in demanding answers to the pertinent and crucial questions.
These are international maritime concerns and therefore security issues which should not be downplayed.
We are waiting for the responses, delay to which can only add to the suspicions.
