GMA Boss Did Wrong; He Should Apologize – Martin Kpebu

A Ghanaian private legal practitioner and HUMAN Rights Activist Martin Kpebu has urged the Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, Kwame Owusu to apologize for his reaction and posture on the allegations of financial improprieties leveled against him.

Speaking on News Analysis Programme Newsfile, he told Samson Lardy Anyenini that his posture whiles addressing Journalists on the allegations appeared belligerent, arrogant and purported to attack the journalists he was addressing.

GMA Boss, Mr Owusu made headlines Tuesday after he held a news conference to rebut accusations that he had misappropriated taxpayers money and also put himself in a conflict of interest position, following his organisation’s decision to hold an end of year party with state funds in his hotel in December 2017.

Responding to claims, Mr Owusu simply said he had never denied ownership of the hotel.

“The Director-General [himself] has not refuted the allegation that he owns Luxe Suites Hotel so when I see some of you going to the hotel, taking pictures and putting them on social media, it is another journalistic mischief,” he said at the press conference.

He also said GH¢135,000 for the party was “for an estimated 500 people and not 100 as alleged”.

The Director-General also said some 11 air conditioners that he placed in a two bedroom house for himself is misinformed. According to him , the house in question has been extended to a four-bedroom house with library and basement among others so the 11 air conditioners are about two short of what he needs.

However, Martin Kpebu believes the posture of the Ghana Maritime Authority boss is offensive to the provisions of the 1992 Constitution regarding arbitrariness and abuse of public office.

“Especially in times when a good number of our people are suffering and being denied of basic amenities coupled with a challenging economy…for the Director-General to address these issues of expenditures in the manner in which he did is quite unfortunate and unacceptable”.- he indicated.

According to the lawyer, Mr. Owusu must make an unqualified apology to the media for his attacks before he may consider representing him if approached.