Aliu vetting fiasco---Explained

Mr. Samuel Odoi Sykes, a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Vetting Committee has apologised to the Vice President Aliu Mahama, saying failure to vet him was as a result of a mix up.This afternoon, Tuesday November 6, 2007, the Vice President Aliu Mahama and his supporters went to the Party headquarters in Accra for his vetting, only to be disappointed, because the Vetting Committee members were not available at the premises to receive him.Speaking to Joy News’ Dzifa Bampoe, Mr. Odoi Sykes claimed that the Committees meeting time for this week was rescheduled from the mornings to the afternoons.

He said the change in the time was communicated to all members by the secretary to the Committee by text messages.He said all members were duly informed to meet this afternoon, Tuesday November 6, 2007 at 3.00pm to vet the Vice President and then vet Prof. Frimpong-Boateng at 4.00pm.

However, he said the Chairman of the Committee, Prof. Adzei Bekoe, told the committee that he would not be available for the afternoon because he already has a programme scheduled for the evening to meet some visitors from outside the country and so the meeting should be rescheduled for the morning at 10.00am, but the secretary according to Mr. Odoi Sykes did not get the Chairman’s message.

He argues that the confusion resulting in the failure of the Vetting Committee to meet with the Vice President Aliu Mahama was due to the mix up between the chairman and secretary Hon. Adjabeng.Mr. Odoi Sykes answered questions on issues regarding the Vice President’s membership card, claiming the committee only asked for photocopies of documents and not originals.He has subsequently apologised to the Vice President.He said however that the meeting has been rescheduled for Thursday November 8, 2007.