Expose corruption - Nduom urges

President of Groupe Nduom (GN), Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, has called on Ghanaians, especially the young generation, to expose corruption in the system; without fear or favour.

Speaking to students of Valley View University, Accra via Google Hangout from his US base in Washington DC, on how to effectively uproot corruption and corrupt officials from the system, Dr. Nduom noted that if there was no effort to reduce corruption drastically, there would not be space for peace and prosperity of Ghanaians.

With the long drawn out experience of superintending over 50 businesses in Ghana and abroad, he decried the systemic entrenchment of corruption and self-seeking individuals, as well as organisations whose interest was to amass wealth – but any other thing being secondary.

Dr. Nduom mentioned that leadership must lead the way, stressing that “incorruptible leadership is key to peaceful and prosperous society, adding that at all levels this must be paramount.”

Without mincing words, he stated that successive governments have failed Ghanaians and it was about time “we elected the right leaders who have the wherewithal to fight corruption.”

“Make a firm commitment and act on it; it is not about mere talks, but firm action taken every step of the way,” he advised.

When quizzed on his assessment of the fight against corruption, he stated categorically that since 1992 and with successive governments, “our approach in fighting corruption had been weak, and the earlier Ghanaians woke up, the better for all of us.”

“Let’s begin personal a commitment to publicise corruption and not to keep it in private, and we need national rulers who are direct in their approach and will not fail on duty,” Dr. Nduom stated.

Banking on his experience in politics over the years, both within and outside t the country, the GN president theorised that there should be a total divorce between the Attorney-General’s Department and the Ministry of Justice, and that “we should appoint an Independent Prosecutor who will treat all criminal matters devoid of political influence.”

He also insisted that the constitution be amended to elect MMDCEs who can effectively, with independent minds and the power of decentralisation, bring rapid development to their various local areas.

That, he said, would cut away the total influence from the central government which was impeding the development process.

Dr. Nduom also advised that “we abolish the constitutional provision that allows the president to appoint a chunk of ministers from Parliament.

He said the very people who should peruse government policies are the same people who sit in cabinet meetings; describing it as double standard.

“With amendment, this will ensure effective checks and balances in the system, and weed out corrupt acts in the two institutions,” he said.

He bemoaned the fact that the country had to rely on Anas Aremeyaw Anas and his team alone at all times to fight high level corruption.

He indicated that a little effort from all quarters – students, youth, churches, civil society organisations, businesses; both the formal and informal sectors and the likes would put Ghana on a good pedestal.

Dr. Nduom however referred to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) that “corruption is an insidious plague that has a wide range of corrosive effects on societies. It undermines democracy and the rule of law, leads to violations of human rights, distorts markets, erodes the quality of life and allows organised crime, terrorism and other threats to human security to flourish.”

He said this evil phenomenon, being very pervasive in a developing country like Ghana, the only way to stamp it out was to stand up, speak against it and act on it now!

He advised businesses—big and small—to be truthful in their dealings and file their tax returns at all times, because the effects of its evasion are most destructive.

He also advised that the only hope was to begin the process immediately and expose any act that was detrimental to the growth of the country at various circles, adding that “our morals must be seen to be a pillar and not a caterpillar that eats the very fabric of society.”