Those pointing fingers at me and my family were worse in corruption – Kufuor

He said rather, Ghanaians were the best ‘judges’ or ‘examiners’ and added that once the President had a four-year mandate, the people would decide whether or not he performed to their satisfaction at the end of his tenure.

President Kufuor, who was recently appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as one of the special envoys on climate change, was speaking on Asempa FM’s ‘Ekosii Sen’ political programme in Accra yesterday.

He reminded President Mahama that the presidency belonged to all Ghanaians and not for a group of persons, and urged him to work towards a unified country.

He said he could not “get up” to proffer advice to Mahama if the President was not ready to grant him audience, adding, “The President is my friend, but if he has not asked for my help I cannot go advising him.”

President Kufuor said those accusing him and his family of corruption during his reign did not understand what governance was about.

Without specifically mentioning his colleague former President J.J. Rawlings who had a penchant for attacking him at the least provocation, Mr. Kufuor said, “Those pointing fingers at me and my family were worse offenders when it comes to corruption and they were also weak in the fight.”

He said during his time, his government was able to formulate laws, rules and regulations that were aimed at directly fighting corruption, saying that any effort towards the fight today probably started in his time.

He said it was wrong for his political opponents to always accuse him of sharing the affordable houses his government built, among his cronies and dared them to publish the list for Ghanaians to ascertain the truth.

“I know we did nothing wrong and I challenge our people on the other side to publish the list of beneficiaries for the whole world to see. They have been in office for five years and they are in a position to do so.”

President Kufuor complained bitterly about the way and manner the government abandoned a lot of projects his government had started, especially roads.

He specifically mentioned the Nsawam-Suhum stretch of the Accra-Kumasi Highway, Dambai road, Techiman-Kintampo road, and the Techiman-Bamboi road among others as projects that appeared to have been abandoned.

He also touched on the Bui Dam project and commended the government for completing it, but said “we also took the bold decision by securing the loan and starting the projects.”