The Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has criticised the president for saying citizens who make corruption allegations against his appointees should first provide evidence.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo made the comment during his media encounter on Wednesday.
He said, “I have made it publicly know that anyone who has information about acts of corruption against any of my appointees should bring it forward and should be prepared to back it up with evidence.”
The president also said that he has great interest in ensuring that none of his appointees takes undue advantage of their position than anyone else, adding “try me, produce the evidence to back the allegation and see what the response will be.”
But the CDD is unimpressed with President Akufo-Addo’s posture relating to the issue.
Its senior research fellow, Dr Kojo Asante says the move will rather deter whistleblowers from providing information vital to protecting the public purse.
"It should not be the duty of the citizen. Yes, people can allege, but then it should be a trigger for an investigation by the appropriate authorities to then come to a conclusion.
“That is our mandate, as citizens, to ensure that the public purse is protected, so if I come to you and allege that someone has done something, it is your job as the executive with the investigative body to go and investigate,” he added.
Dr Kojo Asante said once investigations are initiated, the person who made the allegation can then be consulted to assist with information. However, a situation where they are being asked to provide evidence is a wrong move.
“This is not some court of law where the person who alleges is the one that has to come and provide evidence and defend. This is a criminal matter. “So this insistence that people should bring evidence is wrong,” he stressed.
The first year of president Akufo-Addo’s administration has been characterised by a series of allegations against his appointees.
From the very onset, Energy Minister-designate, Boakye Agyarko was accused of bribing members of Parliament’s Appointment Committee.
Also, the CEO of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST) was also accused of intentionally selling contaminated fuel.
Two deputy Chiefs of Staff – Francis Asenso-Boakye and Abu Jinapor – were also accused of demanding some $20,000 from an investor before he could see the president.
A more recent allegation involving the Trade Ministry, also accused of extorting monies from expatriate businesses in the country is currently being investigated by five-member Committee constituted by the Speaker of Parliament
Source: myjoyonline.com
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Doctor, you are totally wrong in this regard! Do you want the President to conjure and manufacture evidence of corruption about his appointees, public officers (past and present) How useful has your doctorate degree been in this regard? Please come again, doctor.
Herrrr Mr Doctor or Professor or whatever you call yourself, if it is not the duty of citizens to provide evidence is it the duty of the president to provide evidence? Or it is the duty of the person who is been accused to provide evidence, what are you talking about?
Some people in academia make the acquisition of higher educational laurels unattractive. How on earth is the President to know if what is being alleged is true or not if the person alleging does not provide the evidence? For heaven's sake, is this doctor or professor aware of the legal maxim that "he who alleges must prove"? The problem I find with some of these persons holding high degrees in Ghana is that, they are always afraid of being accused by the NDC of being in bed with the NPP. For that reason, they will pronounce thesis that have no basis either in common sense or logic. Let me ask again, how on earth does this doctor or professor or whoever he is, expect the President to get the information to satisfy himself that some act of corruption has been committed by an appointee, if the person alleging does not supply the President with all the necessary information in this regard? Haaaba, doctor or professor, please think again about this matter and don't waste our ears.
it is only in Ghana that any ed10t will be a doctor. what are u saying? ple shd go abt making us3l3ss allegations to waste ple's times? c'mon u must be kidding me. then everyone in this country will be investigated including urself. look at how okudjeto and muntaka are wasting parliament's time. that committee could have been set to look into a serious issue but they decided to waste it on allegations. allegations without bases. in as much as we want to hold ple accountable we must be careful how we go abt it. u cant just go abt making allegations if you dont have any evidence even if it is verbal. any form of evidence that will help in the investigation is what the president is asking for and this man is here saying what. mtchew. dr my foot.
What did Dr Kojo Asante hear from the president. “I have made it publicly know that anyone who has information about acts of corruption against any of my appointees should bring it forward and should be prepared to back it up with evidence.” So what's the big deal here? if you are not prepared to back your allegation with evidence, then GET LOST! Be a citizen like Manasseh who goes the extra mile to reveal and support investigations of corruption not just throwing about allegations like kose.
@Kwabena you said it all. And that "little evidence for the investigative bodies," must be a substantial lead into an investigation, not a mere rumor.
No sir, cdd you are wrong. Are you saying citizens can make allegations against people without providing evidence and leave them to the investigating bodies to look for evidence? Are we serious in this country. I tell you those public bodies would be on a wild goose chase. The country would be opening up its prominent persons up for image tarnishing and this is surely not the way to go. You allege, you must provide some little evidence for the investigative bodies to kickstart the investigations.CDD, you must eat humble pie and apologise to the president.
joy you stay in us you didentlearn anything, only to put down this tr......, is not your fault
I'm not sure the CDD guy said that, I'd be very surprised if he did. Where on earth is an accused person made to provide evidence for his own conviction or otherwise? Anyone who alleges wrongdoing ought to provide supporting evidence...I thought this is common sense. So if I accuse you and CDD of underhand dealings in getting funds for your programmes and activities, should you be arrested straightaway by the authorities investigated when I have not provided any shred of evidence? Preposterous!
Even when the minister of trade and others have confirmed that they took monies from expatriates you still say you find no wrongdoing so why would anyone waste his time to bring you evidence. As we send NDC to opposition, yours is on its way.