B/A NDC calls on government to act on corruption

Sunyani Nov. 2 GNA - The Brong Ahafo Regional Secretariat of National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on President Kufuor, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and all well-meaning Ghanaians to save the government's policy of zero tolerance for corruption "from total coma and ultimate demise."

It also asked the government to publish reports of the Auditor General and Serious Fraud Office (SFO) since January 2001 and subject perpetrators of alleged corruption to thorough scrutiny and prosecution.

In a statement signed by Mr Mohammed Kwaku Doku, Regional Secretary, the NDC noted: "Such is the only way the government can exonerate itself from the shackles of alleged corruption."

The regional branch of the party said the fight against corruption was a shared responsibility for the government and all Ghanaians and as such, "no amount of insinuations, invectives and aspersions by government spokespersons and paid NPP activists would divert our attention from holding the NPP government accountable to the people."

The statement noted that long before Transparency International came out with its report on the level of corruption in the country, there had been reports and allegations of corruption levelled against some government appointees by the media and state institutions including the SFO, Auditor General and Parliament.

The NDC Regional branch recalled that when there was growing public concern about corruption or perceived corruption in the judiciary, Parliament put in place a committee that toured the regions and held series of fora "on this unacceptable practice" and submitted a report.

"It is therefore, sad to note that if a credible institution like Transparency International whose report the NPP, then in opposition dwelt on to accuse the NDC of corruption, is today harping on this canker as a serious drawback to investment and economic growth, the NPP spin doctors would defy their claim of transparency and good governance and regrettably engineer every available medium not only to defend the indefensible but also embark on a campaign of attacks, insults and vituperations against personalities who come out to champion the crusade against corruption in the NPP government."

The statement recalled that the NDC Flagbearer, Professor Mills recently criticized the government over the way and manner it had so far handled the issue of corruption, "culminating in the Transparency International's latest report".

The regional branch said it had expected Mr. Kwabena Agyapong, government spokesperson, to answer Professor Mills', as to whether the alleged corrupt practices by some Ministers and government functionaries were true or not "and not to choose the crude way of insults and other irresponsible utterances".