CSOs sue government over Domelevo’s leave directive

Nine civil society groups have jointly sued the government over President Akuffo-Addo’s directive asking the Auditor General, Daniel Yaw Domelevo, to proceed on a 167-day accumulated leave.

Daniel Domelevo has been on mandatory leave since July 1, 2020, following the president’s order.

The groups that sued the Akufo-Addo led government include the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Ghana Integrity Initiative, (GII), Citizen Movement Ghana, Africa Center for Energy Policy (ACEP), and Parliamentary Network Africa.

The rest are Penplusbyte, Media Foundation for West Africa, SEND Ghana, and One Ghana Movement.

The suit at the Supreme Court follows an earlier appeal they made to the President in July to rescind the directive.

In a statement announcing the writ filed at the Supreme Court on Monday, October 26, 2020, the Coalition of CSOs said it was left with no option but to go to Court.

READ ALSO:
Peace Council condemns NPP, NDC clash at Jamestown; calls for immediate prosecution

“We had hoped that the President will reconsider his decision in light of the deleterious effect of his action on public accountability and the fight against waste and corruption in the management of public finances.  Unfortunately, that has not happened. Instead, certain developments since the Auditor General was forced to leave his office have only gone to worsen the situation, leaving us with no option but to seek the intervention of the court.”

“It is our fervent hope that through this legal action, we can safeguard the independence of the office of the Auditor-General and all independent constitutional offices established under the constitution of the 4th Republic so that they can discharge their lawful mandate effectively without fear or favour and thereby play their respective parts in a collective effort to build and strengthen the pillars of constitutionalism, checks and balances and accountability in Ghana,” the group said in the statement.

The CSOs insist the president’s leave directive to Mr. Domelevo was illegal and did not auger well for the fight against corruption.