Investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni has called on President Akufo–Addo to stop meddling in corrupt allegations levelled against his appointees if he aims to win the fight against corruption.
Mr. Awuni who was speaking at a dialogue series held by the Chevening Alumni Association of Ghana said it will be in the interest of the President to allow independent bodies and organizations to investigate such allegations rather than his office.
President Akufo-Addo’s government since assuming office in January 2017 has been hit with a number of scandals including the bribery allegation involving the Energy Minister, the corruption allegations levelled against two deputy chiefs of staff and the recent cash for seat saga against the Trade and Industry Ministry.
All appointees named in these allegations had the full backing of the president with some being cleared of all charges before being handed to parliament for probing. The situation generated a lot of public discussions with the minority in parliament and the opposition NDC arguing that the President was covering up for his appointees.
But speaking on the trend, the renowned journalist described the involvement of the President as a cause for worry. According to him, it was rather causing Ghanaians to lose faith in his government and his ability to curb the canker that is rapidly draining the country’s finances.
“I have come to realize that there are two types of corruption; petty corruption and grand corruption. What people take for granted is the petty acts involving policemen, civil servants, journalists and other individuals and rather concentrate on the grand acts by our politicians and leaders. We know the massive corruption that took place under the Mahama-Administration and seeing some actions being taken against some former leaders and appointees is a good sign but if the Akufo-Addo government does not tread carefully, it will walk the same path.
“President Akufo-Addo has to stop acting like a clearing agent. We know what a clearing agent does, he needs to allow due process to be followed in dealing with corrupt allegations. If that is not done, people will not trust him.”
The dialogue series dubbed “Corruption and its impact on Ghana; 61years on” also had some panelists from various corporations and institutions share their opinions on the negative effect of corruption, why the alarming increase and the way forward.
Both IMANI Ghana, represented by its President Franklin Cudjoe and the Ghana Integrity Initiative, represented by its Programmes Manager, Mary Welana Addah were of the view that the citizens could do more to help in the fight. According to them, although government was not helping especially with the creating of some new ministries like the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives, reporting on corrupt acts was a step in the right direction.
On their part, 2016/2017 winner of Chevening Scholarship Isaac Anokye and Senior Research Fellow at Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) Kojo Asante were confident, when some current initiatives aimed to create jobs for the youth fails, there will be an outflow of corrupt acts as more people will strive to survive in a sinking economy.
The event was graced by the President of the Association, Dr. Charity Binka who stressed on the importance of such platforms where tropical issues affecting the country can be discussed. It was also held in collaboration with the British High Commission in Ghana.
Source: ghanaweb.com
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The nature of the investigations in all those allegations of corruption was laughable. U ask parliament to investigate itself...what outcome do you expect other than not guilty? And the sad thing is that the president's posture always pre-empts the outcome of the investigations. If you make statements like if anyone has proof against your appointees then they should bring. A lot of things happen that an individual outside that cabal will find almost impossible to prove. So the fact someone didn't prove them doesn't take away the fact that they happened. No one investigates himself and indicts himself.
The president men are corrupt . I work with the forestry commission. I can tell you on authority, that the forestry commission Board is a scam. The LI that establish the board required the minister to. Accept representative from various trades and industries. Persons in the wildlife trade were kicked out, and the minister forced someone with no knowledge on the trade on them. The Board is just there to approve the ministers decision. No sensible debate whatsoever. This is how NPP steals. They get their own people into Boards without following the laws of our land. Big disgrace of a government. We are waiting for next elections.
In any case Manasseh,as long as I agree with you for any corruption allegation to be looked into, ndc corruption allegations are nothing but false. Do you mean to tell me if a thi*f is running away from the mob and also pretending to be chasing the thi*f means he is not a ***barred word*** but the one in front of him, he the thi*f is calling a thi*f is the thi*f? I can't get that! Ndc cried why no other minority party but the ndc?are they the only minority party in Ghana to make noise? When they were in power all the opposition parties and their leaders were crying corruption against the ndc which was glaring, why would Mr Agyarko give ndc bribe just for a ministerial position like that is so important to solve his problem like the ndc? Manasseh if you have evidence about any of them bring them out for ndc is known to be who they are, nobody trust them because they talk too much with no sense and the hate and enviness in them is so much that nobody takes them serious. Why would you think the president's appointees would be so ***barred word*** to repeat the mistakes and characters of the ndc, when they know very well what ndc did to the nation in power and are capable of doing in opposition, only little minds will believe ndc accusations when they know from the bottom of their hearts they lied and did that for equalization to make the new government look bad but it never worked for them, because they've made themselves not trustworthy and unfavorable in the eyes of the people. Ndc has no respect for themselves so they having the same treatment from the people. The smaller minority parties have honour than the ndc. I will listen to the smaller minority parties and believe them than the ndc, ndc are genetically and career liars and kriminals.
@missy akuffo addo is the president of ghana and not president of inward looking people. allegation are made and as a 73 + old president, ghanaians expect common sense to prevail
How did the president meddle in the allegation against Mr. Agyarko? Was the claim against the deputy chiefs of staff not referred to the CID? So how does the president's request to be briefed about the expatriate awards allegation make that the trend? Facts must be told or stated as they are and not try to lump issues together in order to "give the dog a bad name and hang it"