Nduom explains political corruption in Woyome saga

2012 flagbearer of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, has used the controversial Ghc51.2 million judgement debt paid to the embattled National Democratic Congress (NDC) financier, Alfred Agbesi Woyome, to explain what is considered as “political corruption.”

He said the Supreme Court ruling which ordered Mr. Woyome to refund the said money to the State was a civil suit brought against Mr. Woyome by former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Martin Amidu.

That, Dr. Nduom said, was different from the criminal case brought against Mr. Woyome. The two cases, he stressed, were not the same, adding that the Supreme Court ruling was still binding on Mr. Woyome to pay the money to state.

He explained that though the issue was about Woyome, it should rather serve as an eye opener for Ghanaians to find solutions to corruption which has become a canker in the country.

“It shouldn’t be just Woyome… but how we can find means of dealing with this problem of corruption,” he indicated.

Dr. Nduom was continuing his last week's discussion on “ Woyome Effects” on the economy on his weekend programme, Ghana, Great and Strong, which is broadcast every Saturday from 7:00 P.M., -8:00 P.M., on Ghana’s premier internet-based radio, www.hedjorleonlineradio.com in Accra.

Buttressing his stance on why Woyome’s case can be considered one of political corruption, the PPP stalwart explained that “political corruption is the use of powers by government officials for illegitimate gains.”

Dr. Nduom went on to explain that political corruption, if not curbed, could derail the economic development of the country hence his call on the government to deal decisively with the issue.

He continued that corruption becomes worse when it assumes institutionalised status.

According to him, corruption is killing the spirit of Ghanaians.

That, he further elaborated, had subverted the people’s will and increased cost of doing business.

“In fact corruption affects each and every one of us,” he stressed.

He noted that as a result of corruption, Ghana loses a minimum of 1 billion US Dollars every year and that “amount could be as high as 4 billion US dollars”.

“And imagine what we can use 1 billion US Dollars for in Ghana. We can build schools, hospitals, infrastructures and even help us end the dumsor problem currently facing the country,” he indicated.

And despite all these problems that come with corruption, the 2012 flag-bearer of the PPP could not understand why other political parties like the NDC, New Patriotic Party (NPP), and Convention People’s Party (CPP) have been silent on the need for an independent prosecutor.

While admitting that that portion of the Chapter 8, Article 88 of the 1992 Constitution which states that “there shall be Attorney General of Ghana who shall be the principal legal advisor to the president” would not be easy to amend, he called on other civil society organisations, Trade Union Congress, religious leaders to join the PPP in its crusade for an independent prosecutor.

According to him, he started the fight in 2007 and reinforced his commitment to the course in 2012 when he became the flag-bearer of the PPP.

“It is only the PPP which has made the call for the independent prosecutor a policy position,” he said.

Dr. Nduom contended that if the country could amend that portion of the constitution to separate the office of Attorney General from that of the Ministry of Justice and create and an Independent Prosecutor there would be better administration of justice.

He added that that will also result in a better ability to fight corruption in Ghana.

He said: “It will also help minimise the spate of corruption in government circles.