Akufo-Addo promises to fight corruption with vigour

The 2008 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo-Addo says he will fight corruption vigorously when given the mandate to lead Ghana after the December 7 elections.

Nana Akufo-Addo said this when he addressed a townhall meeting of the Ghanaian Community in Chicago last Friday.

As Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Nana Akufo-Addo notably led the fight against corruption, through legal reforms and prosecution of public officials who were accused of corruption.

The Presidential Candidate of the NPP was on the fourth leg of his visit to the United States of America to interact with the Ghanaian Community and to sell his vision of a "successful and modern society? to the Ghanaian Community.

?We are not going to be able to make any progress if we do not address the issue of corruption in a vigorous and consistent manner?, he said.

?It is therefore our intention to strengthen the institutions whose duty is to ensure the security of the public purse?, he added.

Nana Akufo-Addo said the Police Service, the Attorney-General's Department, the Serious Fraud Office and the Commission on Human Rights and Administration would be adequately resourced and given the requisite wherewithal and independence to be able to perform their duties.

He said that the Kufuor-led administration has brought some significant improvements as far as the fight against corruption is concerned. He said very critical laws have been passed which would help reduce the incidence of corruption in Ghana.

The 2008 Presidential Candidate of the NPP specifically mentioned the Public Procurement Act, the Financial Administration Act and the Internal Agency Act. Nana Akufo-Addo said he would ensure that these laws are enforced in a very strict manner that will ensure that they serve the purpose for which they were passed.

?The unfortunate thing is that you cannot fight corruption by pious appeals to people's sense of honesty and integrity?, he said.

"We are going to have to apply the rod in a way that will truly send the signal that corruption is not tolerable in our society".

The Presidential Candidate of the NPP assured his audience that he is going to lead by example and he is also going to demand leadership by example from his ministers and appointees.

"I am not in this business to fill my pockets at the expense of the Ghanaian tax payer", he emphasised.

"Fortunately I already have a little bit of money of my own", he said to hilarious laughter from the packed-to-capacity auditorium.

Before Nana Akufo-Addo delivered his speech, Yaw Osafo-Maafo and Alan Kyerematen took turns to address the audience. They both recounted the successes of the Kufuor-led administration and urged the people to prevail on their relations at home to vote for the NPP during the December election.

Nana Akufo-Addo and his delegation are on the last leg of their tour of North America in Los Angeles.

On Monday, they left the United States for the United Kingdom, where they are expected to address the media.