Anti-corruption advocate Vitus Azeem has voiced apprehensions regarding President Akufo-Addo’s decision to extend the tenure of Auditor-General Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu by an additional two years.
He suggested that such a move might create suspicions of potential favoritism towards the president and his appointees.
In an interview on Joy News, Mr. Azeem expressed concerns that this extension could compromise the perceived independence of the Auditor-General’s office.
Mr. Azeem pointed to the contentious departure of former Auditor-General Dr. Daniel Yao Domelevo in 2020, which was mired in disputes over his age, as a relevant comparison.
He criticized the extension as a preemptive measure by President Akufo-Addo to shield himself and his appointees from scrutiny post-office, implying that the Auditor-General could be influenced not to pursue accountability measures effectively.
While acknowledging that the constitution allows for extensions for certain officials, Mr. Azeem underscored that the circumstances surrounding this specific extension raise doubts about the commitment to upholding an independent and robust anti-corruption framework in Ghana.
The extension, disclosed in a notice from the Audit Service dated July 19, allows Mr. Asiedu to continue beyond his original retirement date of August 1, 2024.
Read Also: NRSA Encourages Transport Services to Register Digitally
Source: Comfort Sweety Hayford/ATLFMNEWS
