Fighting graft: Mahama offered me a Ministerial job – Appiah Ofori

Anti-corruption Campaigner and former NPP Member of Parliament for Asikuma/Odebeng/Brakwa, PC Appiah Ofori, has revealed that President John Mahama wanted to appoint him as a minister in his government after winning the 2012 election.

He said President Mahama told him his motive for wanting to include him in the current ruling NDC government was to enable him (Appiah Ofori) check corruption and malfeasance by any of his appointees.

The controversial and eccentric politician, who is known to have fought his own New Patriotic Party (NPP) on matters of corruption while the party was in power between 2001-2008, made the revelation while speaking to Kwaku Owusu Adjei on Si Me So on Kasapa 102.5 FM Tuesday.

He narrated that as soon as the President Mahama told him of his intentions, he responded saying his inclusion in government would not mean that he was going to keep mute on the wrongs in that administration.

“He invited me home and told me his intention. I shouted eii John! You want to make me a minister in your government? If I become part of your government and there’s any corruption I will not spare you, and he said that is why I need you so that you will scrutinise any such matters that arise. I respected him for wanting to make such a move but I turned down his offer but told him that if I get information on anything that borders on corruption, I’ll draw his attention to it.

“This gave me the impression that Mahama will not tolerate corruption in his government but sadly the corrupt practices in his government are amazing. When his appointees are found guilty of corruption per the Auditor General Report, no prosecution is made and that is the only way fear will be put in corrupt officials and thereby reduce the high rate of corruption. This is my problem with President Mahama.”