I’ve regretted serving Ghana – Woyome

• Posted on June 22, 2013June 22, 2013
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Embattled businessman, Alfred Agbesi Woyome, says he has regretted serving Ghana although he is an investor who has the growth of the country at heart.

The man, who had gained international attention owing to the contentious judgment debt he obtained from the state, was one of the Ghanaian foreign-based investors wooed by the Kufuor’s administration in the year 2000 to invest in Ghana.

“I must say that I sometimes regret serving this nation and I do ask myself why this is happening to me, but I have to live above this and work for God and my country,” the Financial Engineer told The Independent in an exclusive interview at his residence in Accra on Tuesday.

Mr Woyome added, “Is it not surprising that the political class – both NPP and NDC – have come together to fight one man for one and a half years? It takes only God to survive and stay focused in this situation because some of these attacks are spiritual, but I thank God I’m still alive.”

“I am being vilified and I think it is not fair,” the embattled businessman lamented, stating that the kind of bad treatment meted against him would deter many investors – both home and abroad – from investing in the Ghanaian economy.”

Mr Woyome said he would be setting the records straight very soon to calm the nerves of his many benefactors and friends who have become seemingly uncomfortable, following the turn of events at the Supreme Court recently (the Martin Amidu case).

Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Martin Amidu, who had been on a solitary mission to reclaim all wrongfully paid judgment debts by bungling state officials, had argued that neither Waterville nor businessman, Alfred Agbesi Woyome, had a valid contract with the state to warrant those huge payments.

The Supreme Court largely accepted his submissions and ordered Waterville Holdings to return to the state €25 million wrongfully paid to it as judgment debt.

Mr Woyome told this paper he was ready for long legal battle and would not mind taking the case to the international court.

Woyome Tops All

There is no shred of doubt that no individual has ever gained fame or notoriety – depending on how one views the situation – with such speed and style in Ghana’s political history like Woyome, the businessman at the centre of the controversial GH¢51 million judgment debt.

News on Woyome have dominated the front pages of the Ghanaian media heavily. Demonstrations were organised because of him (for and against), songs were composed about him and some ministers have been sacked or resigned because of him.

Even his presence in court draws dozens of loyalists to the court premises in solidarity with the businessman. Woyome has also polarised the NDC, with two groups in the party known as ‘Woyomers and non-Woyomers.’

Through Woyome, unknown words like “gargantuan” crimes and ‘judgment debt” have now become a part of the average Ghanaian’s lexicon.

Until his trial, Woyome was engaged in many philanthropic activities which benefitted many individuals and institutions.

His core business areas include oil, mining, aviation, transport, hospitality and fishing.

He has donated towards the building of various churches in Ghana, partnered with international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to build Youth Development and Recreational Centres in many communities across Africa and was influential in assisting Ghana to host the CAN 2008 Soccer Tournament.

Mr Woyome was also sponsored about 1,500 children from kindergarten to other levels.

He was also assisting the quality of health delivery in various districts such as Begoro, Sogakope and Gushiegu and has donated several acres of land for the building of a Soccer Academy for the youth at Sogakope in the Volta Region of Ghana.

The Independent