NPP Slogans as hollow and noisy as empty barrels - Dr Mahama

Accra, Oct. 29 GNA - Dr Edward N. Mahama, Leader of the People's National Convention on Wednesday said the slogans such as 'Golden Age of Business' and 'Zero Tolerance For Corruption' by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government were as hollow and noisy as empty barrels.

He said there was no road map or programme with benchmarks or mileposts to judge at any time whether Ghanaians were making progress toward those destinations or not.

Dr Mahama was speaking at the Special Hall Week Edition of "Legon Speaks" organized by the Akuafo Hall of the University of Ghana. The forum, which has become an annual event, was organized by the Hall to discuss pressing national issues affecting the country.

Dr Mahama said given the low incomes earned by Ministers and other holders of political office, "the current process of our election-oriented democracy obviously breeds and deepens corruption". He said it was highly disturbing for the government to say that anybody, who accused another of corruption, ought to bring forth evidence for action to be taken.

He said hardly enough, if any, credible example have been set of corrupt persons for the public to feel that the dog called "Accountability" could bark and also bite.

Dr Mahama called on the youth to channel their energies and talents into meaningful production so as to bring the nation on track. Mr Alban S. K. Bagbin, The Minority Leader and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, said the government was not serious in fighting corruption since it had not sustained the effort that was started by the previous government.

He said corruption in the society was not a gimmick but a reality and it was not fair for people to say that the NPP government was not corrupt, adding that corruption was endemic in the system and people were struggling to survive with it.

He called on the youth, students and individuals to hold government accountable and responsible for access to information to fight corruption in the country.

Mr Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, Press Secretary to the President, said the Government was committed to the fight against corruption in the country.

He said the strengthening of the various institutions of state, like the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ); Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and Criminal Investigations Department (CID) was paramount in the fight against this canker.

He called for a concerted effort from all well meaning Ghanaians to continue with the fight against corruption from all sections of the society.