Former President and Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has revealed that in the fight against corruption, the NDC has a better record in regime accountability.
According to him, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has proven in government its inability to pursue members who are tagged with corruption scandals.
Speaking in an interview, the former President labelled President Akufo-Addo as a “clearing agent” amidst allegations of corruption within his administration.
“In the fight against corruption, the NDC has a better record in terms of regime accountability. The NPP has proven in government that it is always reluctant to pursue its own, despite the swelling stench of corruption around the administration. All Ghanaians have received so far is lip service in the fight against corruption,” he said.
“Most appallingly, the president has become the clearinghouse for clearing his appointees accused of corruption. He has on several occasions cleared his ministers and appointees when allegations of corruption have been made against them,”
Former President John Mahama further criticized the current administration’s efforts in combating corruption.
Mahama asserted that the true test in the fight against corruption is holding one’s people accountable when they go wrong, a test he believes the current president has failed.
“As I said in whole last year, and I quote, it does not take bravery to prosecute one’s political opponents. The true test in the fight against corruption is holding your own people accountable when they go wrong. And so far, the president has failed this test.
In response to former President John Mahama’s claims, President Akufo-Addo underscored his government’s dedication to due process and justice in combatting corruption.
During the commissioning of the new Law House in Accra, President Akufo-Addo reiterated his stance against accusations labelling him a “clearing agent” amidst allegations of corruption within his administration.
He addressed these allegations, stating his administration’s unwavering fight against corruption no matter how much condemnation this position incurs for him.
“You are all aware of the statements by the Former President and perennial NDC Presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama stigmatizing me as a “clearing agent” because for him mere allegations without law is enough to merit condemnation of an accused public official especially one of my administration.
“For my part, and let me state it again for the record, I will not set aside due process and the rules of natural justice on the altar of the fight against corruption,” he said.
Meanwhile, in an interview on Joy News, the Executive Director of Ghana Integrity Initiative, Mary Addah revealed that Ghana needs a casual reorientation in fighting corruption.
According to her, the corruption issue should be conceptualized in a way that can be dealt with.
“In fighting corruption, we need a casual reorientation and the NACAB document spoke about it but then you know, these proverbs are not unique to Africa or Ghana. There have been if you go to other dispensations, they’ve contextualized theirs and able to manage it and their systems and structures are set up in such a way that nobody can use some of these proverbs to get away with the wrongdoing,” she noted.
Source: Comfort Sweety Hayford/ATLFMNEWS
