Nduom’s anti-corruption crusade is “fake” – Group

Pressure group Research and Advocacy Platform (RAP) has called on the leader of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, to come clean on alleged issues of corruption while he was working at the State Enterprises Commission.

This call comes after Dr Nduom's party staged an anti-corruption demonstration dubbed “Ayefe Notse” on Thursday.

“We are also deeply worried about how an intervention by the United States Embassy during investigations into that matter shielded him from accounting to the good people of this country,” a statement issued by RAP hours after Thursday’s demonstration said.

Below is the full statement:

The Research and Advocacy Platform (RAP) has learned of a demonstration staged by members of the Progressive People’s Party led by Dr Papa Kwesi Ndoum. As firm believers in democracy we welcome the free expression of sentiments on any issue through public manifestations provided it is done within the ambit of the law.

We also welcome suggestions from all Ghanaians on how to deepen the fight against corruption as it is a canker against which an uncompromising and unrelenting fight must be waged.

That said, we are of the view that persons engaging in the discourse about corruption and leading mass action against the condemnable practice, must boast of a squeaky clean track record as far as corruption is concerned. Such persons, especially previous public office holders, must be able to show that they have been honest, transparent and accountable in the offices they have held in the past.

It is against this backdrop that we urge Dr Papa Kwesi Ndoum, who is the leader of the PPP and at whose behest this morning’s (Thursday) demonstration was held to submit himself to the very test that he seeks to exact from others.

We recall with regret how the matter of his involvement in alleged acts of corruption at the State Enterprises Commission remains unresolved. We are also deeply worried about how an intervention by the United States Embassy during investigations into that matter shielded him from accounting to the good people of this country.

We are equally concerned about the seeming inaction by the appropriate state agencies on that matter in spite of the existence of a thick file prepared by the then Serious Fraud Office (now EOCO) on the subject.

As a way of demonstrating sincerity about his stance against corruption now, we call on Dr Ndoum to speak publicly to this matter and answer all relevant questions relating to his dealings at the State Enterprises Commission. We call on EOCO to reopen the file on that matter with a view to bringing it to closure since there cannot be a time bar to the fight against corruption

We further urge all members of the PPP to demand same from their leader in view of the relevance of the legal maxim, those seeking equity must come with clean hands, to the fight against corruption.