NDC Must Reassure Ghanaians on Corruption – CPP

24th February marked the 44th anniversary of the treason by military self seekers against the constitutional CPP government of Ghana. In 44 years a generation of Ghanaians have been sacrificed. Their lives ruined and destroyed by poverty and corruption in government. Many driven into poverty have died in poverty.

Today’s generation are asking questions about their future and that of their beloved country. They are all aware that in the Ghana of today the tangible progress that had been made by the CPP on Education, Health, Infrastructure, industrialization, national pride and cohesion has long been reversed and new challenges have emerged to further impoverish the country, causing dangerous tensions in the country.

They know that today nearly half of Ghana’s labour force is illiterate; millions more are unemployed, homeless or victims of unscrupulous landlords who charge exorbitant rents and impoverish their tenants, that our uneven economic growth benefits only a handful of people and companies, that growing inequality and diminishing economic opportunities have led to an unprecedented increase in crime.

That the state has abdicated its responsibility of ensuring social justice for all, and the quality of life of our people has declined accordingly. In 1999, a new-born child in Ghana could expect to live to be 63.1 years, the figure has now fallen to less than 58 years. The number of children who die before their first birthday has risen over the past 10 years as a result of poverty and poor nutrition. The number of women who die in childbirth has also increased from 186 per every 100,000 live births in 2004 to 244 deaths per 100,000 live births. In44 years they have seen visionless and directionless Leaders, corruption under NDC 1992 to 2000 and arrogant corruption under NPP 2000 to 2008.

They are determined that the scourge of corruption must be ended, aware that it has a direct impact on their lives.

The recent Mabey and Johnson case which implicated several NDC officials - Dr. Ato Quarshie, former NDC Minister of Roads and Highways, Dr. George Adjah-Sipa Yankey, Alhaji Amadu Seidu and Baba Kamara, who were all NDC government officials were also involved in the scandal.

Dr. Yankey and Alhaji Seidu, were Minister of Health and Minister of State at the Presidency respectively, whilst Baba Kamara was Ghana’s High Commissioner designate to Nigeria.

Mabey and Johnson a United Kingdom-based construction firm won a number of contracts for the construction of bridges in Ghana in the early 90s. Dr. Yankey, was the director of legal services at the Ministry of Finance, Alhaji Amadu Seidu, Deputy Minister of Roads and Highways at the time. Other government officials who benefited from the scandal were Kwame Peprah, Board chairman of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and Alhaji Boniface Abubakar Saddique, ex-Minister of Works and Housing. Under the current NDC government they have also witnessed Muntaka gate Ayariga/Bagbin Tractor gate.

All demonstrating NDC corruption in the 1990’s and emerging NDC corruption now.

Former Deputy British High Commissioner to Ghana Mr Craig Murray has provided an insight into NPP corruption , and expressed worry on how under the NPP government at the best oilfield in Ghana, Kosmos were able to get a royalty rate of only 5%, when the average on other fields is over 11%. Adding that the Vodafone deal suffered “from a lack of transparency and a lack of a level playing field for others – including France Telecom – who wished to compete.” That the final sales price was definitely too cheap.

He asked why under the NPP Ghana Airways' invaluable routes were awarded to GIA - a bunch of obscure and inexperienced investors who came only fourth in the official assessment of bids.

He further asked how industrial development funds were given to a network of companies the ultimate ownership of which traced back to the Minister of Industry.

In another example of corruption under the NPP Mr Murray cited Zakhem International Ltd. who are building the Kpone Power Project for VRA. He said the VRA bought the turbines from the manufacturer, Alsthom for US $70 million, then paid Zakhem US $80 million upfront to install them and provide the ancillary equipment.

After three years, Ghanaian taxpayers have nothing to show for the US $150 million.

Balkan Energy was another example cited by Craig Murray. Balkan he said claimed to have spent US $100 million on refurbishing the Osagyefo barge, at a time when they had really spent less than US10 million.

A corrupt contract had allowed Balkan to lease the barge for $10 million per year, from the government of Ghana, but then charge Ghana over $40 million per year for its use as a “Capacity charge”. They will in addition charge the government of Ghana for the fuel, and make a profit on that too, with Balkan standing to make a total of about $1.5 billion dollars.

44 years after the overthrow of the CPP Government Ghanaians are very disillusioned . They have voted in a new NDC government , but their fervent hope is for transparency in the deals surrounding Ghana’s resources such as Oil. They hope this new NDC government will not follow NDC and NPP governments of 1992 to 2008.

They want re-assurance from this NDC government on corruption.

Long Live Ghana, Forward Ever Ghana, No to corruption

Media & Communications Directorate

CPP UK & Ireland