‘Fight against corruption must start from Presidency’

The Head Pastor of the International Central Gospel Church, Mensa Otabil has advised President John Mahama to start his fight against corruption from his party and government if he is serious about confronting the menace.

In his view, the fight will be much easier for the president if Ghanaians see that he is able to punish people in his Cabinet who are involved in corrupt activities.

“I know it’s going to be difficult and lonely. In fact it is a huge challenge. It's going to be difficult, he will be misunderstood because one thing about human beings; you can’t please them.

“If you fight corruption you are going to hit people and you will be misunderstood but if he hits himself first, and his cabinet and his party and then his government then it goes down to all of us then we can say he is fair,” the motivational speaker told a gathering at an anti- corruption forum organised by policy think tank -IMANI and Occupy Ghana.

Citing a demolition exercise in Zimbabwe, to support his claim, Otabil said the exercise became a huge success after the ruling party’s office in the area earmarked was pulled down on the instruction of the President.

He stated that a fight against corruption by a leader can only be successful if the leader is seen starting from home instead of targeting perceived enemies.

"You don't fight corruption by attacking your enemies, you start by cleaning your house," Otabil noted.