Former Finance Minister Prof Kwasi Botchwey says the absence of decency, honesty and integrity which sum up what ethical politics is about were the reason for the defeat of the National Democratic Congress in the 2016 elections.
Speaking at the 6th Atta Mills commemorative lecture, the longest serving Finance Minister in the country’s history said, the issue about ethical politics are as important in internal party politics as they are in the national discourse.
In what may perhaps be his first public utterance after leading a committee to investigate the cause of the NDC’s humiliating defeat in the 2016 elections, Prof Botchwey said bitterness, integrity defects in the appointments of party executives and a general absence of ethical politics contributed to the party’s defeat.
He was quick to add that the party is working feverishly to restore ethicality in its organizational set-up.
Prof Kwesi Botchwey was speaking on the theme: “Ethicality democracy and national development; the legacy of President Atta Mills.”
A classmate and friend to Atta Mills, a person with whom he shared a common passion, Prof Botchwey spoke fondly and highly of the late president who passed away on July 24, 2012 after a short illness.
He said the late president John Mills was a symbol of ethicality- honesty, humility and decency- who pledged to be guided always by making the right decision and not a hasty one.
These values he said must be expressed and exhibited at all times if the country will develop through democracy.
“There is a relationship between democracy and economic development,” he stated, adding, many policies of national development, policy formulation and taxation need cross-partisan support even when there is the dominant party in parliament.
He said in assessing the risk of their investment decisions, investors use the ability of opposition parties in parliament to cripple government’s policy and challenged leaders, especially those in government to be able to consult widely on issues of mutual interest and national development.
Seed of debilitating conflict
Prof Botchwey expressed worry over what he said is the increasing polarization of the country’s politics, a development, he said has caught the attention of the clergy, professionals and other stakeholders.
He stated the country is slowly sowing the seed of debilitating conflict if it does not do something about the polarized country.
“We need to step back from the brink and begin to ethicalize by curbing the case of vengeance and recrimination,” he stated.
Source: myjoyonline.com
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the man could not hold the report in his heart again. its too heavy i guess. soon they will tell us everything in that 450 or something pages report.
KOKU ANYIDOHO AND KOFI ADAMS AND ALL THOSE LIKE THEM SHOULD NOTE THE CAUTION GIVEN BY DR. KWESI BOTCHWEY. SADLY, THEY HAVE STARTED AGAIN. BOTH ADAMS AND ANYIDOHO HAVE VOWED TO GIVE NANA AKUFO ADDO DIFFICULT TIMES TO RULE PEACEFULLY AND THIS WILL AFFECT THE NDC HEAVILY IN 2020, MARK IT ON THE WALL. INSTEAD OF THE NDC CONCENTRATING TO MAKE CORRECTIVE EFFORTS TO REVAMP THEIR PARTY, THEY ARE RATHER BENT AT MAKING GHANA, IN THEIR OWN WORDS "UNGOVERNABLE" FOR NANA ADDO. YOU SEE THE NAIVITY OF THE NDC? I BET YOU, THEY WILL LOSE IN 2020 IF THEY CONTINUE LIKE THAT. I HAVE SAID IT.
The first mistake the Prof made was to be part of NDC. The second mistake was the appointment of b1abies with s`harp t`eeth and a corrupt vice prez in the person of John Dramani Mahama. The whole economy turned upside down when Prof felt critically ill. Mahama was just a c'rook!!
Well said Prof. But do you realise that all these polarisation and whatever you are talking about started with you particularly when you served as then Secretary for Finance in a Military dictatorship and then to a civilian rule where you would not accept any divergent views? Break down in morality, decency and respect for authority was the hallmark of the government in those days of which you were a strong member. We had a head of State who would talk Th.rasH and still had the support of elderly people like you. You never corrected JJR in his wrongdoings then and so I do not expect you of all people to come and talk about polarisation of politics in the country. Can you please shut the hell up as some of us went through hell in your days. We have not forgotten ERP, PAMSCAD and all the huhudious economic terms you prescribed for us. Can we have some peace, please Prof.?