Anti-corruption Crusader Vitus Azeem has called out President Nana Akufo Addo for comments the President made at an anti-corruption conference in Accra. The President explained that prudent management of the Ghanaian economy had made it possible for government to meet the development demands of Ghanaians adding that allegations of wanton dissipation of public funds are untrue. The president continued to explain he had acted on all the corruption allegations made against his appointees since he became president. President gave the assurance that he would not set aside due process in the fight against corruption despite criticisms from the public in handling allegations of corruption against some of his appointees.
Meanwhile, Mr. Azeem speaking to Samuel Mbura on A1 Radio’s Day Break Upper East Show, said that it was unfair for the President to deny the existence of corruption and acts of corruption under his leadership. He said if government was committed to the fight against corruption, there should have been investigations of alleged acts of corruption as well as punishment of persons found culpable.
“When you talk about the fight against corruption, what you see is allegations of corruption are being investigated, and people being found going afoul of the law being dealt with. Unfortunately, that does not appear to be the situation in Ghana now. There are several allegations of corruption and we do not see investigations, or there are some investigations but we do not see the outcome and the actions taken on those outcomes. You don’t make corruption unattractive and so long as you do not make it unattractive, more people will get involved,” he explained.
The anti-corruption campaigner explained that the manner in which the former Auditor-General was hounded out of office gives the indication that government is not committed to the fight against corruption. Mr. Azeem also cited the lack of action on reports of the Auditor-General, the lack of action against procurement breaches by the former CEO of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) as indications given by government to show that it is not committed to fighting corruption.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana
