Government must stop making excuses for corruption – Mahama

• Posted on December 9, 2019December 9, 2019
• by Ellsamwise King
• Comment

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Mahama, has urged the Akufo-Administration to stop making excuses when it comes to fighting corruption.

In a statement to mark International Anti-Corruption Day, he gave assurance that the NDC will show more commitment in the corruption fight if it comes into government.

In Mr. Mahama’s view, “recent surveys are confirming that we [Ghana] are losing the fight against corruption.”

“We will strengthen and make the anti-corruption agencies work without fear or favour. If we are to win the fight against corruption, Government must stop making excuses as a coverup for the increasing cases of corruption. President Akufo-Addo’s practice of “clearing” corrupt appointees and hamper investigations must stop.”

“We shall protect the rights of our people to expose corruption and undertake to investigate credible allegations that come to our attention. No journalist will be killed, live in fear or flee the country because of their investigative reporting.”

Ghana’s performance on the Transparency International corruption perception index increased by a point to 41 in 2018, from its 2017 score of 40.

This left Ghana with a ranking of 78 out of 180 countries; an improvement from 2017’s rank of 81.

Ghana has averaged 38.75 Points from 1998 until 2017, reaching an all-time high of 48 Points in 2014 and a record low of 33 Points in 1999.

CSOs petition

In 2018, some Civil Society Organisations petitioned the government demanding more radical measures in the fight against corruption.

The groups believe that the fight against corruption has stalled in the last decade.

They, however, noted that the adoption of the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP- 2015-2024) and the establishment of the Office of the Special Prosecutor were steps in the right direction.

The groups in the petition urged the government to continue investing substantially in those interventions and intensify their implementation.

Find below the full statement

2019 INTERNATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION DAY STATEMENT FROM HE JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA

On the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day, let us make a determined commitment to take action, lead the change and be the change in our country’s fight against corruption and nepotism.

Fighting corruption requires genuine and collective efforts, particularly from political leaders. As we have demonstrated in the past, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will make no excuses in this fight.

Sadly, recent surveys are confirming that we are losing the fight against corruption. This is a worry to majority of Ghanaians.

We shall protect the rights of our people to expose corruption and undertake to investigate credible allegations that come to our attention. No journalist will be killed, live in fear or flee the country because of their investigative reporting.

We will strengthen and make the anti-corruption agencies work without fear or favour. If we are to win the fight against corruption, Government must stop making excuses as a coverup for the increasing cases of corruption. President Akufo-Addo’s practice of “clearing” corrupt appointees and hamper investigations must stop.

As we work together towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the anticorruption fight will become a major instrument for the achievement of our objectives.

Let us take a decisive stand against corruption and nepotism. I invite all Ghanaians to stand #unitedagainstcorruption.

SIGNED.
Joyce Bawah Mogtari
Special Aide to HE John Dramani Mahama
Accra.
Monday December 09, 2019

Source: CNR