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Tag: Airbus

  • Politically motivated and empty – Amidu criticizes Airbus report

    Politically motivated and empty – Amidu criticizes Airbus report

    Former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu has voiced strong criticism of the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) recent report on the Airbus investigations, labeling it as “a gargantuan hoax, hollow, and politically motivated.”

    His comments were made in a statement released on October 2, 2024, following his review of the report published on August 8, 2024.

    Amidu expressed his disillusionment after reading the OSP’s report, titled “Report of Investigation into Alleged Bribery of Ghanaian Officials by Airbus SE.”

    He noted, “Upon reviewing the OSP report for the first time on September 21, 2024, I had no doubt that it is a gargantuan hoax, politically motivated, and serves as an instrument for collusive election interference in the upcoming 2024 elections.”

    He contended that the timing and content of the report suggest an intent to influence the elections, asserting that it lacks objectivity and is driven by political interests.

    Reflecting on his own tenure as Special Prosecutor, Amidu recounted how he faced accusations from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of supporting the National Democratic Congress (NDC) due to his background.

    He remarked, “In the election year of 2024, the OSP has ignored the precedents set by the office and published a concocted report intended to exonerate certain individuals while suppressing an objective analysis of the implicating evidence in the case.”

    Furthermore, Amidu accused the OSP, under the leadership of Kissi Agyebeng, of deliberately withholding evidence to protect certain individuals from scrutiny.

    He pointed out that in July 2020, the OSP postponed questioning former President John Dramani Mahama, who was identified as “Government Official 1” despite substantial evidence linking him to alleged corruption in the Airbus SE case.

    He called on the OSP to clarify its decision to suppress an objective analysis of the evidence related to the Airbus SE-Ghana corruption case. “I wish to provide the OSP the opportunity to explain to Ghanaians why it deliberately suppressed an objective analysis of the implicating evidence on the Airbus SE-Ghana corruption case docket and why related evidence was locked away for safekeeping until it could be deployed at later interrogations,” he stated.

    In August 2024, the OSP concluded its investigations into the Airbus bribery scandal, with Agyebeng holding a news conference to announce the findings.

    During this briefing, he confirmed that former President Mahama was identified as “Government Official 1” in the investigation but stated that there was no evidence to support claims that he accepted any bribes.

    Mr Agyebeng emphasized that the thorough four-year investigation was conducted due to the significant public interest in the matter and that disclosing the identities involved was crucial.

  • Qatar Airways, Airbus reach amicable settlement in legal dispute

    Qatar Airways, Airbus reach amicable settlement in legal dispute

    Qatar Airways and Airbus have reached an amicable and mutually agreeable settlement in relation to their legal dispute over A350 surface degradation and the grounding of A350 aircraft.

    According to a release by Qatar Airways, a repair project was now underway and both parties look forward to getting these aircraft safely back in the air.

    The details of the settlement, the release said, were confidential and the parties would now proceed to discontinue their legal claims.

    Meanwhile, the release noted that the settlement agreement was not an admission of liability for either party.

    “This agreement will enable Qatar Airways and Airbus to move forward and work together as partners,” the release said.

    Premium Lounge opening

    In a related development, Qatar Airways has re-opened its luxurious Premium Lounge at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), complementing the airline’s triple daily flights, available for premium passengers and eligible one-world alliance partners.

    The Premium Lounge features all of the facilities and qualities of the airline’s premium product, including both The Brasserie and The Global Deli, prayer rooms, business centre, shower facilities, Wi-Fi and zoned seating for more than 200 guests. Far-reaching views of Paris and the Eiffel Tower contribute to a warm and relaxing atmosphere.

    Commenting on the airline’s latest Premium Lounge re-opening, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker, stated: “This milestone illustrates our focus on continuous product enhancements. The re-opening of the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport marks our fifth global lounge within our growing network. This further demonstrates our commitment to provide unparalleled services to our customers, especially in France.”

    At more than 1,000 square metres, the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge at Paris-Charles de Gaulle offers Qatar Airways First and Business Class passengers a sophisticated, modern and spacious environment in which to relax and commence their five-star journey experience.

    Catering to exceptional premium culinary standards, the lounge is equipped with a full kitchen for freshly-prepared à la carte orders, in addition to an existing buffet spread, offering an international menu from across the globe.

    Qatar Airways Paris Premium Lounge launched its operations in 2017 to serve the growing capacity of passengers travelling with the airline from Charles de Gaulle Airport.

    Presently, Qatar Airways operates 18 weekly flights to Paris, offering passengers with the ultimate connectivity to Skytrax’s World’s Best Airport, Hamad International Airport.

    Awards

    A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways, was recently announced as the ‘Airline of the Year’ at the 2022 World Airline Awards, which is managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax.

    The airline continues to be synonymous with excellence having won the main prize for an unprecedented seventh time (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022), while also being named ‘World’s Best Business Class’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining’ and ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’.

    Keynote

    Qatar Airways currently flies to more than 150 destinations worldwide, connecting through its Doha hub, Hamad International Airport, currently named the ‘Best Airport in the World” by Skytrax World Airport Awards 2022.

  • Qatar Airways, Airbus reach settlement in A350 legal case

    Qatar Airways, Airbus reach settlement in A350 legal case

    An “amicable settlement” ends a potentially damaging United Kingdom court trial and puts an end to a $2 billion dispute over the safety of Europe’s top long-haul jet.

    A long-running legal battle between Qatar Airways and Airbus over the safety of the A350 aircraft has been resolved.

    The settlement was “amicable and mutually agreeable,” according to a statement released jointly by the companies on Wednesday.

    The companies said in a statement, “A repair project is now underway and both parties look forward to getting these aircraft safely back in the air,’’ 

    The “amicable settlement” ends a $2bn row over the safety of Europe’s premier long-haul jet – an unprecedented public rift that led Airbus to revoke dozens of other jet orders from Qatar ahead of a scheduled June court trial.

    Qatar Airways grounded Airbus A350s over what it described as fuselages “degrading at an accelerated rate” in the long-range aircraft.

    The airline had raised questions about the A350s’ carbon composite fuselage, designed to make the twin-aisle aircraft lighter and cheaper to operate by burning less jet fuel.

    In December 2021, Qatar’s national carrier announced it was suing Airbus in London over what it described as the “accelerated surface degradation” of the wide-body A350.

    Cracks in the painted surface exposed gaps in a sublayer of A350 lightning protection, prompting its regulator to ground 29 of the jets. Airbus, based in Toulouse, France, has acknowledged quality flaws but insisted the jets are safe.

    The next month, Airbus terminated a multibillion-dollar order by Qatar Airways for 50 of its smaller single-aisle in-demand A321neo jets.

    The termination of the Airbus contract for its A321neos followed Qatar Airways’ refusal to take any more A350s until the problem was fixed.

    The details of the settlement are confidential. The companies said the deal was not an admission of liability by either party, both of which would drop their legal claims and “move forward and work together as partners”.

    French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire welcomed the settlement.

    The planemaker also said it would reinstate all orders it revoked as part of the dispute, but the first of 50 A321neos would now be delivered in 2026, three years later than the airline said this was scheduled.

    The first of 23 undelivered A350s will be delivered this year, a spokesperson added.

  • Coronavirus: Plane-maker Airbus to cut 15,000 jobs

    Aerospace giant Airbus says it plans to cut 15,000 jobs as it deals with the effects of the coronavirus crisis.

    It will cut 1,700 jobs in the UK, along with thousands more in Germany, Spain and elsewhere.

    The move is subject to talks with unions which have opposed compulsory redundancies.

    The Unite union said the Airbus announcement was “another act of industrial vandalism” against the UK aerospace sector.

    Some 134,000 people work for Airbus worldwide, with around a tenth of them in the UK.

    The firm said the UK cuts would fall only on the commercial aircraft division at its two sites at Broughton in Flintshire and Filton, Bristol.

    More details of the job losses and how they will break down between the two giant factories will come at the end of the week after talks with unions.

    However, Unite said it expected 1,116 manufacturing jobs and 611 office-based jobs to go, shrinking Airbus’s UK workforce by 15%.
    Image copyright Reuters

    These cuts were inevitable. The only question was just how severe the pain would be.

    The Covid-19 pandemic has been little short of catastrophic for the airline industry. At one point in April, global air traffic was down by more than 90%.

    When planes aren’t flying, they aren’t earning money. Yet they still need to be maintained and leasing costs or loans still need to be paid.

    The result? Airlines are struggling to survive and simply can’t afford to take on new planes right now. And that, of course, means Airbus has had to curb production.

    Airbus has delayed these cuts and has made full use of support from governments. But ultimately it had little choice.

    And the pain being felt in places such as Broughton, Toulouse and Hamburg will echo through the entire supply chain.

    The firm expects to make the cuts by summer 2021, but hopes the majority of redundancies will be voluntary or through early retirement of staff.

    The company warned in April that it was “bleeding cash at an unprecedented speed” as it struggled with the impact of the coronavirus crisis.

    ‘Gravest crisis’

    It said on Tuesday that production had dropped by 40% in recent months, and that it did not expect air traffic to get back to pre-pandemic levels until 2023 at the earliest.

    “Airbus is facing the gravest crisis this industry has ever experienced,” said chief executive Guillaume Faury. “The measures we have taken so far have enabled us to absorb the initial shock of this global pandemic.

    “Now, we must ensure that we can sustain our enterprise and emerge from the crisis as a healthy, global aerospace leader, adjusting to the overwhelming challenges of our customers.”

    News of the cuts comes as the international aviation industry reels from the impact of the pandemic. On Tuesday, EasyJet said it would close three UK bases and cut about 2,000 staff.

    And Reuters reported that Air France/KLM was targeting more than 6,500 job cuts over the next two years.

    Jim McMahon, Labour’s shadow transport secretary, called for more government support in the UK.

    “Labour has consistently called for an extension to the furlough in the most impacted industries, and a sectoral deal that supports the whole aviation industry including securing jobs and protecting the supply chain, while continuing to press for higher environmental standards.”

    A government spokesman said: “We understand this will be a difficult time for Airbus’s employees and their families, and we stand ready to support anyone affected in any way we can.

    “We will continue to work closely with the sector to ensure firms are able to rebuild as the civil aviation market recovers.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • Plane-maker Airbus to cut 15,000 jobs amid coronavirus fallout

    Aerospace giant Airbus says it plans to cut 15,000 jobs as it deals with the effects of the coronavirus crisis.

    It will cut 1,700 jobs in the UK, along with thousands more in Germany, Spain and elsewhere.

    The move is subject to talks with unions which have opposed compulsory redundancies.

    The Unite union said the Airbus announcement was “another act of industrial vandalism” against the UK aerospace sector.

    Some 134,000 people work for Airbus worldwide, with around a tenth of them in the UK.

    The firm said the UK cuts would fall only on the commercial aircraft division at its two sites at Broughton in Flintshire and Filton, Bristol.

    More details of the job losses and how they will break down between the two giant factories will come at the end of the week after talks with unions.

    However, Unite said it expected 1,116 manufacturing jobs and 611 office-based jobs to go, shrinking Airbus’s UK workforce by 15%.

    The firm expects to make the cuts by summer 2021, but hopes the majority of redundancies will be voluntary or through early retirement of staff.

    The company warned in April that it was “bleeding cash at an unprecedented speed” as it struggled with the impact of the coronavirus crisis.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Airbus cuts jet production to cope with coronavirus crisis

    Airbus (AIR.PA) on Wednesday cut production across the board to absorb the hit to manufacturing from the coronavirus crisis.

    In its largest ever production adjustment, the European manufacturer said it was reducing output of its best-selling A320 narrow-body family by a third to 40 aircraft a month.

    It also cut production of larger wide-body jets with the A350 falling by about 40% to 6 aircraft a month, and the A330 family down by more than 40% to 2 aircraft a month, based on the most recently published Airbus production figures.

    The move, which Airbus said represented an average output reduction of a third, came as deliveries halved in March to 36 aircraft.

    Aerospace has been hit worldwide by the pandemic.

    Airbus has experienced particular disruption since France and Spain – two of its core manufacturing nations alongside Britain and Germany – placed their populations in lockdown in mid-March, restricting the movement of workers.

    Reuters reported last week that Airbus was considering sharp cuts in production of all models in the face of plunging demand, cash problems at airline customers and logistical difficulties in delivering aircraft.

    Airbus said it had delivered 122 aircraft between January and March, down 25% from a year earlier.

    It also said it had produced a further 60 aircraft in the first quarter but had been unable to deliver them because of the crisis, which has forced many airlines to defer deliveries and prevented others from sending teams to take delivery.

    Source: reuters.com

  • Godfred Odame engaging in propaganda with Airbus scandal – Felix Kwakye Ofosu

    Former Deputy Minister of Communications under the Mahama administration, Felix Kwakye Ofosu has described the Deputy Attorney General’s comments on the Airbus scandal as diversionary propaganda.
    He urged Ghanaians to brush those allegations off. Mr Godfred Dame who is the deputy AG today called out former President John Mahama to break his silence on the Airbus scandal because the transaction happened under his tenure.

    Mr Kwakye Ofosu speaking to Joy News said there are several questions the government must answer concerning some scandals but have decided to jump on the Airbus issue just to divert attention.

    “Godfred Dame’s pronouncement constitutes nothing but diversionary propaganda which must be promptly dismissed. This is just a tactic from a government that is wallowing in abject corruption. Where did this government derive their sudden quest for accountability and probity?, Has the President told us what happened in the Australian scandal, has he told us what went on in the PDS deal. There are issues in front of them but they are not able to disclose information yet they chose to jump unto the propaganda bandwagon and make claims that are completely false.”

    Mr Dame revealed that officials of the erstwhile Mills-Mahama administration are not co-operating in the ongoing investigation despite the various roles they played in the transaction.

    He called out John Mahama to break his silence on the matter for the purposes of accountability.

    Aircraft manufacturing giant, Airbus, has been in the news within the past few days after it agreed on a legal settlement of about £3 billion over its involvement in an alleged bribery scandal between 2009 and 2015 in various markets including Ghana.

    The scandal has caused a political storm in Ghana over accusations of Airbus payments to a relative of a government official in connection with the purchase of military planes.

    The UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO) stated that the said agent had no aerospace experience, having previously worked in football merchandising and as a facilities manager.

    It did not say what the agent, who had been helped by two unnamed British television actors, did with the money.

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Mills-Mahama administration refusing to co-operate in Airbus investigation – Govt

    The Deputy Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame is lamenting the slow pace of investigation into the Airbus bribery scandal.

    He revealed that officials of the erstwhile Mills-Mahama administration are not co-operating in the ongoing investigation despite the various roles they played in the transaction.

    President Akufo-Addo recently wrote to the Special Prosecutor to commence investigations into the matter when the scandal first broke.

    Mr Dame is however surprised that the people involved have not come clean to Ghanaians about the roles they played, he made this known at a High-Level Anti-Graft meeting today in Accra.

    “There has been some collaboration between other countries in respect to this Airbus issue and I even alluded to the fact that Ghana sits at the heart of it so we are doing all we can to get to the bottom.

    He also spoke to Joy News where he said: “The identities of the government officials mentioned in the scandal is quite clear. One important lesson to be drawn from the scandal is the prosecution process. There is a reluctance from certain persons to admit the fact. The key government actors who engaged in the transaction are still around and I insist there was a Vice President who later on transformed into a President and he is around and still campaigning to hold public office and I am saying in accordance to accountability even if he was not involved, he ought to open up to the full fact because the transition occurred under his tenure”.

    Airbus Scandal

    Aircraft manufacturing giant, Airbus, has been in the news within the past few days after it agreed on a legal settlement of about £3 billion over its involvement in an alleged bribery scandal between 2009 and 2015 in various markets including Ghana.

    The scandal has caused a political storm in Ghana over accusations of Airbus payments to a relative of a government official in connection with the purchase of military planes.

    The UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO) stated that the said agent had no aerospace experience, having previously worked in football merchandising and as a facilities manager.

    It did not say what the agent, who had been helped by two unnamed British television actors, did with the money.

     

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Airbus Scandal: Inviting Mahama to answer questions will bring chaos – Atubiga

    A failed presidential aspirant of the opposition National Democratic Congress, Stephen Atubiga, has threatened that there will be chaos in Ghana if any institution invites Mahama to answer to queries about his involvement in the Airbus saga.

    “It is a decision taken by the party that Mahama will not honor any invitation on Airbus, put me on record” Atubiga warned on Neat FM on Monday, 2nd March 2020.

    He emphasized that the party has directed that under no circumstances will Mahama speak on the Airbus scandal because the party sees it as a politically motivated agenda and smear campaign against Mahama.

    “Any judge who sits on such a case will vanish” he threatened.

    “This country will turn upside down if even a letter is sent to John Dramani Mahama on the Airbus matter” Atubiga added while speaking on the Ghana Montie show with Mac-Jerry Osei.

    Despite the best efforts of the host to get Atubiga to be mindful of his utterances, the NDC’s activist insisted he should be put on record that Ghana would be ungovernable if the party’s candidate is summoned before any fact finding committee.

     

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • Concentrate on Airbus scandal and leave A-G alone NPP MP fires Amidu

    Collins Owusu Amankwah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia North Constituency has advised Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu to stop poking his nose into affairs of the Auditor-General, Daniel Yaw Domelovo.

    Martin Amidu has asked politicians to stop intimidating the Auditor-General, Daniel Domelevo over his audit reports and allow him to do his work.

    “Ghanaians have given you a job, concentrate on it,” he said.

    Speaking to this on UTV’s late news, Tuesday, Collins Owusu Amankwah asked the Special Prosecutor to concentrate on the ‘Airbus scandal and not Domelovo’.

     

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • Airbus scandal: We need answers! – Youth charges Mahama

    Some concerned youth in the Western Region, have expressed great displeasure at flagbearer for the National Democratic Congress, John Dramai Mahama, over his silence on the Airbus scandal and his alleged involvement .

    The concerned group members demonstrated on the streets of Juaboso holding placards with questions they wish to ask Mahama if given the opportunity to.

    Some of the placards read; Are you Government Official 1? JM, why the long silence on the Airbus scandal? JM and corruption are identical twins, Who is Intermediary 5, among other messages.

    The group, upon learning about Mr John Mahama touring the region, used the opportunity to demand answers from the former President, whose name appears to be the focal point in the Airbus saga.

    Airbus admitted to UK, US and France courts of having paid kickbacks to Intermediary 5, Mr. John Mahama’s brother.

  • Airbus saga: Is Mahama under trial, why do you want him to speak? – Inusah Fuseini questions

    If you are expecting former President John Mahama to respond immediately to the Airbus alleged corruption scandal,then you will have to pull your brakes and wait a while.

    This is because he has not been charged with any offence on the Airbus saga and will only talk at the appropriate time. These are the assertions of Member of Parliament for Tamale Central,Hon. Inusah Fuseini.

    According to him, some people are only pouring their anger based on speculations against the former President for nothing and that will not push John Mahama to speak on the issue.

    Inusah Fuseini said former President Mahama speaking on the matter will be tantamount to stampeding the investigations process by the Special Prosecutor a reason has been silent.

    “He doesnt want to stampede the process,he is not going to stampede the process,he is not going to change the discourse,he is not going to change the narrative.He wants the Special Prosecutor to do his work, he is not afraid of anything because he was not engaged in any wrong doing. I can tell you the former President Mahama is as interested in the Airbus scandal as all the people of this country because it is he who has gotten the bad press,it is he who stands to benefit from a report produced by the special prosecutor”.

    “He will not stampede the special prosecutor,he will not in anyway muddy the waters that is why he is staying clear from the Airbus scandal to let special prosecutor do his work. those who are calling for him to speak, are probably not aware that former President Mahama is not under trial, he has no obligation to defend himself because he has not been charged with any offence.people are just speculating and pouring anger for nothing”. He noted.

    The Tamale Central MP who was speaking Daybreak Upper East however stated that, he was with no shred of doubt that John Mahama and other public officials said to be involved in the Airbus purchase will be vindicated after the investigations.

    “let me assure you with all the energy in me that former President John Mahama is interested in the Airbus debacle,he is interested because he believes in his heart of heart that the investigations to be carried out by the special prosecutor will vindicate not only John Dramani Mahama but all public officials who were connected with the purchase of the airbus that is the Kaesar 295.So former President Mahama is not under trial,he has no obligation to defend himself because people are just speculating and he so he will talk and talk at the appropriate time.

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • ‘Speak on Airbus if you’re a man’ Agyapa Mercer dares Mahama

    Member of Parliament for Sekondi Constituency in the Western Region, Andrew Agyapa Mercer, has thrown the gauntlet down to former President John Dramani Mahama to hold a press conference on the Airbus SE scandal, like he usually does to speak his mind on happenings in the country, “if he is a man”.

    Andrew Agyapa Mercer, when asked on Me Man Nti in an interview with Adakabre Frimpong Manso on Neat FM whether it is not a ploy by members of his party [NPP] to reinforce the corruption tag on the NDC flagbearer by harping on the airbus scandal stressed: “he should come and tell us the report on the said scandal from UK was wrong or he is not the G01 as stated in the report like he does to other national issues.”

    The lawyer indicated that members of the NDC are at pains as to the incredible economic performances of the current government and can be nowhere compared to its marvellous changes made so far.

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • Martin Amidu requests for more details on Airbus bribery scandal

    The Special Prosecutor has commenced investigations into the allegations of bribery against Ghanaian public officials in the controversial Airbus SE deal, stating there is reasonable suspicion of corruption.

    European aviation giant, Airbus is alleged to have paid millions of dollars in bribes to some Ghana government officials in the sale of three military aircraft to Ghana in 2011 and 2015.

    The UK Crown Court ruled on January 20, 2020 that the purchase of two of the aircrafts were compromised and therefore fined Airbus €3 billion for flouting OECD rules.

    The Presidency on February 3 petitioned the Office of the Special Prosecutor to investigate the bribery allegations contained in the judgement and take the necessary action.

    A statement issued Monday, February 10 by the Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu said his outfit has determined that there are “reasonable suspicion of the commission of corruption and corruption-related offences of bribery of public officers and the use of public office by public officers for private profit”.

    That, he explained, are offences under the mandate of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959).

    Accordingly, he said preliminary investigation has since been opened into the case and his office has requested both relevant domestic public institutions connected to the issue to assist in the investigations.

    “Contacts have also been initiated with the appropriate foreign authorities as provided by law for information and documents to assist the on-going investigation,” he said in the statement.

    It has thus appealed to the public not to speculate or politicize “the disclosures made in the deferred prosecution agreements and judgments” so as to allow his Office to treat the suspected crimes as “suspected crimes simpliciter and nothing more, pending the conclusion of the investigation”.

     

    Source: 3news.com

  • Probe Airbus scandal Pentecostal and Charismatic Council

    The Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) has expressed concern about the Airbus bribery scandal as far as the purchase of airplanes for the Ghana Armed Forces is concerned.

    “We call on the security agencies to conduct serious investigations” into the matter, the Council said in a communiqué issued after deliberations at the 2020 Conference of Heads of Churches and Organisations held at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa Fetteh from 4 to 7 February 2020, adding that anybody found culpable should be brought to justice.

    Meanwhile, the Special Prosecutor, Mr Martin Amidu, has begun probing the Airbus scandal.

    The probe began on 4 February 2020.

    In a press statement, Mr Amidu said there is reasonable suspicion of corruption in the Airbus scandal.

    President Nana Akufo-Addo referred the matter to the Office of the Special Prosecutor after court documents from the UK and the US found Airbus SE guilty in a series of unlawful business deals in countries including Ghana where a relative of a top elected government official was allegedly bribed.

    “The Special Prosecutor has determined that the said referral and deferred prosecution of agreements and judgments accompanying them raise reasonable suspicion of the commission of corruption and corruption-related offences of bribery of public officers and the use of public office by public officers for private office which are offences falling within the mandate of this office under the office of the Special Prosecutor Act 2017 Act (595). A preliminary investigation was, accordingly opened on 4 February 2020 by this office into the allegations contained in the judgements referred to this Office aforesaid,” Mr Amidu said in his statement.

    The statement further noted that the relevant domestic public institutions have been invited to provide relevant documents to aid in the probe.

    It, therefore, urged the public not to speculate or politicise the content of the UK and America courts on the matter until after the outcome of the investigations.

    “The relevant domestic public institutions which can assist the ongoing investigations have been contacted to provide information and documents under Act (595).

    “The Office of the Special Prosecutor appeals to the general public not to speculate or politicise the disclosures made in the deferred prosecutor agreements and judgements so as to allow this office to treat the suspected crimes as suspected crimes simplicita and nothing more pending the conclusion of the investigations,” the statement said.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Probe Airbus scandal Pentecostal and Charismatic Council

    The Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) has expressed concern about the Airbus bribery scandal as far as the purchase of airplanes for the Ghana Armed Forces is concerned.

    “We call on the security agencies to conduct serious investigations” into the matter, the Council said in a communiqué issued after deliberations at the 2020 Conference of Heads of Churches and Organisations held at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa Fetteh from 4 to 7 February 2020, adding that anybody found culpable should be brought to justice.

    Meanwhile, the Special Prosecutor, Mr Martin Amidu, has begun probing the Airbus scandal.

    The probe began on 4 February 2020.

    In a press statement, Mr Amidu said there is reasonable suspicion of corruption in the Airbus scandal.

    President Nana Akufo-Addo referred the matter to the Office of the Special Prosecutor after court documents from the UK and the US found Airbus SE guilty in a series of unlawful business deals in countries including Ghana where a relative of a top elected government official was allegedly bribed.

    “The Special Prosecutor has determined that the said referral and deferred prosecution of agreements and judgments accompanying them raise reasonable suspicion of the commission of corruption and corruption-related offences of bribery of public officers and the use of public office by public officers for private office which are offences falling within the mandate of this office under the office of the Special Prosecutor Act 2017 Act (595). A preliminary investigation was, accordingly opened on 4 February 2020 by this office into the allegations contained in the judgements referred to this Office aforesaid,” Mr Amidu said in his statement.

    The statement further noted that the relevant domestic public institutions have been invited to provide relevant documents to aid in the probe.

    It, therefore, urged the public not to speculate or politicise the content of the UK and America courts on the matter until after the outcome of the investigations.

    “The relevant domestic public institutions which can assist the ongoing investigations have been contacted to provide information and documents under Act (595).

    “The Office of the Special Prosecutor appeals to the general public not to speculate or politicise the disclosures made in the deferred prosecutor agreements and judgements so as to allow this office to treat the suspected crimes as suspected crimes simplicita and nothing more pending the conclusion of the investigations,” the statement said.

  • Treat other corruption cases like that of Airbus scandal – Rockson Dafeamekpor tells Amidu

    The Member of Parliament for South Dayi who doubles as the Minority Spokesperson on legal Affairs, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has urged the Office of the Special Prosecutor to treat other cases, in the same manner, it is handling the Airbus issue.

    His comment follows the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) initiation of formal investigations into the Airbus bribery scandal in which some Ghanaian officials, between 2009 and 2015, were allegedly bribed prior to the acquisition of three C-295 military transport aircraft by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

    The OSP, led by Mr Martin A.B.K. Amidu, began the investigations on February 4, 2020, on the basis of the referral made to him by the Office of the President.

    Speaking on Starr FM today, February 10 2020, Mr Dafeamekpor said: ”If the OSP decides to look into this and forms a reasonable basis of suspicion and want to look into it, it is welcome but the question other reasonable Ghanaians will want to ask is that is he moving with the same issue in respect to other allegations of corruption and bribery that has come up in the public domain whether or not referrals has been made. His office is empowered to look into every issue of validation that comes up within the public domain or even the private circles”.

    The Airbus bribery scandal cited Ghana, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Taiwan as destinations where Airbus, the largest aerospace multinational in Europe, admitted that it paid huge bribes in order to secure contracts.

    The Crown Court at Southwark in the United Kingdom passed judgment on 31st January 2020, between the Director of the Serious Fraud Office and Airbus SE, in which the European multinational aerospace corporation was fined $3.9 billion for the payment of bribes to secure deals in the five countries named Ghana.

    The London High Court found Airbus guilty and imposed a fine of three billion pounds (£3bn) as penalties.

    Airbus was charged with five counts of failing to prevent bribery, having used a network of secret agents to pay large-scale backhanders to officials in foreign countries to land high-value contracts.

    In the case of Ghana, the operations were reported to have taken place between 2009 and 2015; during which period John Dramani Mahama served as Vice President and then later as President.

    Meanwhile, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are playing political football with the issue.

    Even though no name was mentioned in the UK Crown Court in Southwark’s ruling, the NPP at a press conference, was categorical that government official 1 is Mahama and has, therefore, asked him to break his silence over the allegation.

    However, the National Democratic Congress, NDC has indicated that they are considering legal actions against NPP’s Communications Director Yaw Buaben Asamoa for alleging that John Mahama is ‘Government official 1’ in the Airbus corruption scandal.

    They said, linking former President John Mahama to the Airbus bribery allegation is ‘reckless and irresponsible’ on the part of Yaw Buaben Asamoa.

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • MPs fight over Airbus scandal

    Members of the Minority National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Majority New Patriotic Party (NPP) engaged in a heated debate last Friday after the NPP MP for Assin South, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, had made a statement on the Airbus SE bribery scandal involving some Ghanaian government officials.

    The Assin South MP had detailed the circumstances leading to the purchase of three C-295 military transport aircraft by the NDC government under Prof. John Atta Mills, which he said smacked of cost inflation and bribery and, therefore, called on Parliament to also do an independent investigation into that matter.

    “Mr. Speaker, the rather disturbing revelations contained in the Deferred Prosecution Agreement and Statements of Facts on the case reveal, inter alia, that some officials of Airbus SE between 2009 and 2015 made or promised success-based commission payments of approximately five million Euros to Intermediary 5, who is alleged to be a close relative of high ranking elected Ghanaian Government Official (Government Official 1),” he said.

    He pointed out that the Statement of Facts further revealed the payments to Intermediary 5 by officials of Airbus SE were thus intended to induce or reward improper favour by Government Official 1 over the purchase of three C-295 military transport aircraft and that out of the five million Euros promised Intermediary 5, 3.85 million Euros was paid between March 2012 and February 2014.

    He further asserted that according to the United States Department of Justice to the District Court for the District of Columbia, Government Official 1, who was alleged to be an elected government official and was in office from 2009 to 2016, made direct contact with the management of Airbus SE in respect of the purchase of the aircraft a few months after he assumed office.

    He, therefore, said the issue had gained international dimension and needed the immediate attention of Parliament.

    The Minority members seriously opposed the statement and questioned why the Speaker should admit such a statement which was full of alleged factual inaccuracies and innuendos.

    According to the NDC MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, such a sensitive issue should have been admitted on the floor through motion and not a statement.

    He said a precedent had been set and that when the NDC assumed the Majority in Parliament, it would call for investigation into alleged BOST saga, Ameri, disappearance of 500 excavators, disappearance of 400 tricycles and the missing gold under the present government.

    According to the North Tongu MP, the Minority would be prepared for any investigation only if it would be fair and transparent because that would definitely vindicate the NDC government then that nothing wrong was done.

    The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, said indeed there were serious issues with the acquisition of the military aircraft by the then NDC government.

    According to him, the government then bought a used aircraft for $35 million while a completely new one was then selling at $22 million.

    He said the further purchase of staircase and the wings of the aircraft brought the total cost of each aircraft to around $60 million.

    He pointed out that hangar alone for one of the planes was built by the government at a cost of $17 million which was so outrageous.

    He, however, said that it would be a duplication of work for Parliament to also do another investigation into the matter which had already been referred to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for investigation by the President of the Republic.

    He stated that Parliament could rather rely on the outcome of the investigations of the OSP for any further action on the matter.

     

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Stop the guesswork, wait for the conclusion of investigations Amidu on Airbus Saga

    Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu has urged Ghanaians to quit making unsubstantiated speculations and spurring suggestions from the deferred judgement from the Southwark Crown Court in the UK on the issue of the Airbus deal, till investigations are determined.

    This he says will allow his Office to treat the suspected crimes as suspected crimes simpliciter and nothing more, pending the conclusion of the investigation”.

    According to a press release dated Monday, February 10, 2020, and signed by Mr. Amidu, investigations have been launched into the allegations of bribery of Ghanaian officials in the military aircraft deal since it was referred to his office by the Office of the President on February 2, 2020.

    The statement further indicated that “the Special Prosecutor has determined that the said referral and the deferred prosecution agreements and judgements accompanying them raise reasonable suspicion of the commission of corruption and corruption-related offences of bribery of public officers and the use of public office by public officers for private profit”.

    Read the full statement below

  • Airbus Scandal: The fate of President Mahama and Ghana politics

    Media Foundation’s Suleiman Braihma came out with an interesting analysis sequel to the Airbus scandal that mentions some government officials in Ghana as dealing in corruption. In his analysis, he apparently points the accusing finger at former President John Mahama to be the recipient of bribes from the British company, as reported in the exposé.

    If it’s so, it’ll be damaging to the former president who’s also the presidential candidate for the biggest opposition party, going into this year’s general elections.

    On the contrary, I see more of political gameplay here.

    It bears a signature of rightwing capitalist political machination, and to whom it is directed at is obvious to all students of Ghana and international polity – the leftists socialist leaning.

    It’s not arising from within our jurisdiction although incumbency has been presented with a huge political capital. If we finger the ruling new patriotic party led by Nana Addo to be behind these exposés, for the interest they have as it would boost their electoral fortunes in the upcoming elections, we’ll be blinded off and allow ourselves manipulate unknown, the doings of the Masters who are behind the implementation of the new world order. An order that makes in a pariah guardians of moral absolutes.

    They, as seen more in the National Democratic Congress (NDC), led by whom the Airbus scandal is apparently pointing at, Former President John Mahama, who do not walk the dictates of the new world order would be swept out of the political field. Exposés of this nature are meant to retire politicians who are implicated in it.

    Don’t forget it also that from where the exposé came, leaders of that country are projecting themselves to be a world power to reckon with days after a divorce with the mother union, the European Union (EU), ending without a deal the 47-year marriage. Political leaders who walk along the New Britain dream would be shielded, those who don’t deserves a good riddance.

    Britain today led by Boris Johnson, a rightwing capitalist, to establish a foothold in the political and economic landscape after leading his country out of the European Union (Brexit), will allow out all exposés irrespective of how damaging it would be, so far as it’s a socialist’s ass that is gored. As the Goka people say it: “who pours libation to bless his enemy?”

    Remember it’s politics we’re talking about here – *It’s a game.* The players must be Masters. Alliances must be formed with Master players, and needs to be maintained.

    Look at it how the rightwing, conservative, capitalist political alliance is working world over.

    USA’s Donald Trump, who’s also in the rightwing capitalist alliance with Britain’s Boris Johnson, not long ago dealt a big blow to the leftwing socialist alliance in killing Iran’s General, Qassem Soleimana. Today, at the Democrats Caucus in Iowa, Trump is more mentioned than the candidates who are competing to be elected as the Democrats’ flagbearer and face the incumbent (Donald Trump) in the November 2020 national polls.

    His failed impeachment trials alone gives credence to how profitable it’s when you attack your opponents on the other side of the political divide harshly. Trump has now been given the momentum, sit back and count his political fortunes in the near future.

    When one member in the leftwing alliance is attacked, it definitely assumes a debilitating rippling effect in their circles. And so it’ll be when it’s the rightwing circles that are impaled.

    It’s more pity though to the President Mahama NDC, as in election year, those in his leftwing circles are carrying burdens of political emergencies with the sequel events so debilitating. Iran hasn’t yet come out of the blow dealt their martyred General, another of the leftwing allies in China is battling a ravaging Coronavirus (2019- nCoV).

    Another key socialist, Russia, a leftwing leaning, has suffered damages in the gradual loss of key important allies, Ukraine for example is now more leaned to USA, as Syria is becoming a failed state.

    On the day you’ll drown, the figs by the river rejects you.

    We can’t bid President Mahama goodbye yet in his political career as we see in Bolivia’s socialist Evo Morales. It’s still politics we’re dealing here, a game played by Masters. If he can still stand his grounds as seen in Venezuela’s Nicholas Maduro, then he could remain long on the political turf of play.

    Bribery and corruption have beautiful names enshrouded in political language, it’s only spoken, understood and walked by the Masters.

    But as President Mahama’s policies are more seen to be outside of that of the new world order, he should hear from me for the first time that: the Airbus scandal is a coffin that has been placed at his gate, it only buries political fortunes, but not that of the Masters!

    We have a job at hand, our fallen walls needs an urgent rebuilding, those whose strength and courage could be doused by a seemingly politically engineered canon, should give way to the patriotic sons of the soil who acting on the dictates of the new world order, will return Ghana to her greatness of old, the pilgrim’s pride.

    Long Live Ghana!

    Contact/WhatsApp: +233249542111

    Email: sirlord42111@gmail.com

    Source: Ghanaweb.com

  • Airbus saga: You are responsible Akpaloo challenges Mahama

    The leader of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) Mr. Percival Kofi Akpaloo has challenged former President John Dramani over his alleged involvement in the Airbus bribery saga.

    Speaking at a press conference in Accra, Mr. Akpaloo said the €35 million involved in the purchase of the aircraft as at that time, was equivalent to $40 million and asked, “why should we spend $40 million to buy an aircraft that was selling at $25 million?”

    “From 2009 to 2016, the NDC was in charge of this country. Whatever happened between that time, they are responsible. We want the former President to tell everybody who the Government Official 1 is”, Mr. Kofi Akpaloo, said.

    “Now when you mention Ghana anywhere around the world, people associate it with bribery and corruption. Former President Mahama needs to help us fight it by addressing this issue,” he added.

    Airbus SE, the European aircraft manufacturer, is alleged to have paid bribes in Ghana when it sold the three military aircraft to the country.

    The company admitted hiring the relation of a top elected Ghanaian official whose company was based in Spain as its consultant in the sale of the aircraft

    Also, Airbus confessed paying the said consultant through a third party when its Compliance Unit raised red flags about the close relationship between the consultant and the top elected official who was a key decision-maker in the purchase of the military aircraft.

     

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • Mahama is not corrupt Allotey Jacobs on Airbus scandal

    Former Central Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Social Commentator, Bernard Allotey Jacobs, has waded into the airbus bribery scandal asking critics to leave former President John Mahama alone.

    The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) is convinced that ‘Government Official 1’ cited in the case is former President John Mahama and no one else.

    The party has dared the former President to speak on the issue if he is indeed innocent.

    However, Allotey Jacobs says ‘Mahama is not corrupt’ hence cannot be complicit in the bribery scandal.

    “For me, I will stand with President Mahama that he is not corrupt . . .the last time I said President Akufo-Addo is not corrupt . . . let there be a little decency in our politics,” he said on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo’.

    According to him all that both the NPP and NDC are doing is needless as the President has assigned the Special Prosecutor to investigate the scandal.

    “We shouldn’t go into the realm of speculation,” he added.

    President Akufo-Addo has referred the Airbus bribery scandal to the Office of the Special Prosecutor for immediate investigations.

    A letter signed by Communications Director at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin stated that these investigations are expected to be conducted in collaboration with the United Kingdom authorities.

     

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • Ill soon expose corrupt Mahama, stinky deals and more Kennedy Agyapong

    Member of Parliament(MP) for Assin Central Constituency, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has said he has pieces of evidence that validate the bribery claims being made against the John Mahama administration regarding the airbus deal and more.

    In an interview on Neat FM monitored by MyNewsGh.com, the controversial MP said the Airbus deal is but a tip of the iceberg, threatening to come up with more damning reports which prove how corrupt the Mahama administration was.

    “You even put this Airbus scandal issue aside, there were some very dirty corrupt activities at Ghana Gas and GNPC under the NDC regime and very soon I will put all the evidence out. You will be amazed at the corrupt acts they (NDC) engaged in,” he said.

    Airbus agreed on Friday to pay a record $4 billion fine after reaching a plea bargain with prosecutors in the United Kingdom, France and United States over acts of bribery and corruption stretching back at least 15 years.

    Ghana, during the Mills-Mahama administration, is said to be among some 13 countries that benefited from bribes paid by Airbus.

     

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • Tell Ghanaians what you know about Airbus saga Akpaloo challenges Mahama

    The Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) has challenged former President John Dramani Mahama to tell Ghanaians what he knows about the Airbus bribery saga.

    It said a statement from the former President would put to rest any speculations and also clear him and the country of any blame or suspicion.

    GO1

    “From 2009 to 2016, the NDC was in charge of this country. Whatever happened between that time, they are responsible. We want the former President to tell everybody who the Government Official 1 is”, the leader of the party, Mr Kofi Akpaloo, said at a press conference in Accra today.

    “Now when you mention Ghana anywhere around the world, people associate it with bribery and corruption. Former President Mahama needs to help us fight it by addressing this issue,” he added.

    According to him, the €35 million involved in the purchase of the aircraft as at that time was equivalent to $40 million and asked, “why should we spend $40million to buy an aircraft that was selling at $25 million?”

    He advised that the best thing the country had to do was to retrieve the extra $15 million on each aircraft.

    Background

    Airbus, the European aircraft manufacturer, is alleged to have paid bribes in Ghana when it sold the three military aircraft to the country.

    The company admitted hiring the brother of a top elected Ghanaian official as its consultant in the sale of the aircraft.

    Also, Airbus confessed paying the said consultant through a third party when its Compliance Unit raised red flags about the close relationship between the consultant and the top elected official who was a key decision maker in the purchase of the military aircraft.

    Response from the NDC

    But, in a riposte, a statement signed by a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice in the immediate past NDC administration, Mrs Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong, said the reports alleging that Airbus SE paid bribes during the administration of President John Evans Atta Mills and John Mahama were “false, misleading and do not reflect the approved judgement” by the UK court.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Airbus scandal an example of the West screwing poor countries like Ghana Gabby

    Cousin of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, has lamented how the West takes advantage of countries such as Ghana by benefiting from bribery-induced contracts and also from huge fines when the corruption is exposed while the countries that are the victims, get nothing.

    His comments come on the back of a deferred prosecution agreement between Airbus SE and the UK, US and France to the effect that Airbus SE will pay €3.6 to them for paying bribes in order to secure lucrative contracts in other countries. Instructively these other countries including Ghana will get nothing from the huge fines.

    This occurrence, Mr Asare Otchere-Darko, explains is how the West benefits both from the taxes from the contracts and fines in case of any wrongdoing.

    Mr Asare Otchere-Darko explained that: “This is how we get screwed over and over by the West and without any “protection” even when there is a settlement to be shared.

    Airbus agreed to a deal with anti-fraud authorities in 3 western countries that will see it paying out €3.6bn ($4bn) to France, USA and UK to end a 4-yr probe in which the plane manufacturer admitted to bribing for contracts. Indeed the boss of the SFO in UK, which struck a €1bn deal that was approved by a London High Court, has hailed the fine as a “very good win for the [UK] taxpayer.” Indeed!

    Ironically, the western country whose multinational company paid the bribes to secure such lucrative (inflated) contracts in countries like ours win double through the taxes from these lucrative (inflated) contracts ones secured and the huge fines from the corrupt contracts once exposed.

    Meanwhile, purchaser countries like Ghana, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, etc. whose taxpayers actually directly suffered by reason of impliedly inflated costs of the aircraft get nothing! Of course, we will get their diplomats to preach to us!”

    President Akufo-Addo has referred the Airbus scandal in which some Ghanaians including a government official were allegedly involved to the Office of the Special Prosecutor for investigations.

     

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • Koku Anyidoho ‘deserts’ Mahama, asks him to carry his own Airbus cross

    A former Director of Communications at the Office of the President under the John Evans Atta-Mills administration, Koku Anyidoho has served notice of not defending the flagbearer of the NDC in the wake of the Airbus debacle.

    Anyidoho, who appeared on Nana Fianko’s afternoon show on ATV, indicated that he is “nobody’s pawn” and is neither anybody’s henchman to go out there and fight for them on the Airbus scandal.

    A scandalized looking Koku, when asked to talk about the raging Airbus bribery scandal declined to comment.

    Throwing his hands into the air when Nana Fianko persistently asked him to say something about the matter, Koku Anyidoho reminded the host that “time was up to end the show” so if there was “nothing else to deliberate on, he should be excused”.

    “…the time is up….i walk out (of the studio),” he told the host, whiles parodying “my lips are sealed” sign.

    In what has become the biggest corporate bribery scandal in the world, Europe’s largest and arguably the world’s largest aerospace manufacturing company, Airbus, has admitted to having paid bribes to people in certain countries to influence their business transactions with those countries.

    Out of the over fifty countries on the African Continent, Ghana, got a mention.

    Airbus admitted that it paid kickbacks to a Government Official 1 through a blood relation, Intermediary 4 or Consultant 4. Government Official 1 is known to be former President John Dramani Mahama while the Intermediary 5 happens to be a sibling of his, Samuel Mahama; as claimed by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    Anyidoho, a close ally of Mills of blessed memory, is believed to know much more about the Airbus deal because of his closeness with the deceased Ghanaian leader. It is not clear why he doesn’t want to speak to the latest incident.
    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • Airbus Scandal: Ghanaians hunt for Government official 1, Intermediary 5&8

    Following revelations by plane manufacturer Airbus, that it had an elaborate scheme that paid some €5 million to officials under the erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, mainly through a close relative to a key elected government official at the time the bribe was paid, some Ghanaians who are curious to know the officials involved are digging deeper into clues provided by the company in court documents.

    Some comments on social media suggest that the close relative of the elected Ghanaian Government Official who the court documents say is a UK national born in Ghana, could be a relation to a powerful person in government at the time while the government official is the said official himself who at the time may have played a key role in negotiations for the purchase of the two planes which began in 2009.

    Activists of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), keen to score political points, have been busy accusing former President John Mahama and his brother as the ones referred to in the court documents even though the documents have named no one.

    Their assertions come from the court ruling which reads in part, “Between 2009 and 2015 an Airbus defence company engaged Intermediary 5, a close relative of a high ranking elected Ghanaian Government official (Government Official 1) as its BP in respect of the proposed sale of three military transport aircraft to the Government of Ghana. A number of Airbus employees knew that Intermediary 5 was a close relative of Government Official 1,w ho was a key decision maker in respect of the proposed sales.

    A number of Airbus employees made or promised success-based commission payments of approximately €5 million to Intermediary 5. False documentation was created by or with the agreement of Airbus employees in order to support and disguise these payments. The payments were intended to induce or reward “improper favour” by Government Official 1 towards Airbus.”

     

    Source: mynewsgh.com