ASEPA Petitions Mahama to Remove Auditor General Over High Crimes, Misconduct
Accra, Ghana - 03 April, 2025 - Ghana's Auditor General, Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, faces removal from office after the Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) petitioned President John Dramani Mahama, citing high crimes, misconduct, and abuse of office.
The petition, filed on Thursday April 3 at the Jubilee House in Accra, accuses Asiedu of failing to comply with Supreme Court directives, conniving with the Audit Service Board to usurp parliamentary powers, and unlawfully retaining public funds.
ASEPA's Executive Director, Mensah Thompson, expressed confidence that the removal process would be transparent and follow the Constitution. The petition marks the formal initiation of the removal process under Article 187(13) of the 1992 Constitution.
ASEPA backed its petition with evidence, detailing multiple allegations against Auditor General Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, which they claim clearly support the severe accusations made.
“We have presented the evidence that clearly points to these grave accusations against the Auditor General,'' ASEPA wrote in a statement“.
The charges include:
- Failing to comply with the directives of the Supreme Court, which constitutes high crime under Article 2(4) of the 1992 Constitution. ASEPA remarked, “His failure to comply with the directives of the Supreme Court cannot be ignored; it is a breach of the Constitution.”
- Conniving with the Audit Service Board to usurp the powers of Parliament, in violation of Article 187(15) of the Constitution. ASEPA asserted, “This action directly undermines the authority of Parliament and violates the provisions of the Constitution.”
- Unlawful retention of public funds, in contravention of Section 17(2) of the Audit Service Act. ASEPA said, “This unlawful retention of funds is not just a breach of the law, but a betrayal of public trust.”
- Abuse of discretionary powers and cover-up, in contravention of Article 296 of the Constitution. ASEPA stressed, “Such abuse of office is unacceptable and cannot go unchecked.”
Asiedu's tenure has been marred by controversy, including a contract extension by former President Akufo-Addo in June 2024, despite being due for statutory retirement.
His appointment in September 2021 followed the retirement of his predecessor, Daniel Yaw Domelevo.
Source: Lead News Online
