We in NPP UK have noticed with deep concern the aim of President Mahama to divert the attention of Ghanaians from the myriads of corruption charges involving himself and his government with empty diversionary "directives" giving an impression that he is on top of his brief.
These "directives" come in the wake of dubious judgement debts having been paid to companies like Waterville and Isofoton. It also comes in the wake of corruptive practices such as abuse of office, fraud, network of siphoning agencies and naked thievery. It is also as a result of the canker of corruption that has characterised the work of GYEEDA and SADA. This minimal reaction to the serious criminal acts of corruption which have necessitated the Integrity International's ranking of Ghana as the third most corrupt nation in the world is an insult to the integrity of Ghanaians and a very feeble and knee jerk response to the single most damning report on Ghana.
NPP UK wishes to state categorically that the President is merely trying to paper over the cracks of his administration and is merely aiming to give a false impression that he plans to solve the problems of corruption when indeed he is trying to cover up his own involvement in these criminal acts. He cannot seek to score cheap points over his own lack of leadership, transparency and accountability. President Mahama must be personally held accountable for all the crimes in his government which these so called directives are seeking to bring to the fore. They have consistently undermined the institutions and weakened hitherto relatively quite strong institutions that fight against corruption by appointing party cronies to head them.
NPP UK is also aware of the deep cracks in his own government over this issue of corruption and we are convinced these "directives" will be still born. The recent attacks on his government by Hon Alban Bagbin and Dr. Tony Aidoo speak volumes of the ineptitude in his administration. Moreover the Chief Justice's recent call for men of integrity is equally an indictment of his leadership and his administration. The President is weak on corruption and even weaker on the causes of it.
The President is himself knee deep in corruption and has personally been cited in instances of corruption in the NDC administration which he leads. He and his gang are the very authors of corruption and we wonder how same gang can lead the fight against it. Recent amongst these malfeasance are such as the acquisition of the Embraer air crafts from Brazil, STX Korea housing deal, Cuban Medical Scholarship deal, SUBA, sale of Merchant Bank and many more.
NPP UK is therefore demanding from the President to lead by example and show leadership by implementing the following steps to minimise corruption in his government:
1. Implement to full application of the Public Procurement Act (instead of the Sole Sourcing that his government has been applying to grant contracts since 2009)
2. Apply the Financial Services Act by publishing twice in the year the Auditor General's financial report on ministries and MMDAs. He should consequently publish the Auditor General's Report from 2012.
3. Implement the Whistle-blower Act (Act 720 of 2006) that empowers citizens to report and expect follow up by government on acts of corruption.
4. Set up a bi-partisan parliamentary inquiry into the GYEEDA Report.
5. Enforce the Judgement Order of the Supreme Court in the Martin Amidu application against Woyome and Waterville.
6. Scrap the Judgement Debt Sole Commissioner's office if indeed he feels he has failed in securing a proper investigation into Waterville and Isofoton.
7. Reinstate the Inquiry into the Embraer Aircraft deal that the late President Mills set before his death.
These and many others are the practical steps to solving the corruption problems that can potentially address the unpardonable issues of corruption that have bedevilled his government with serious economic and social repercussions for the country rather than mere "directives" from him which we know from our experience of his government will go nowhere.
We in NPP UK therefore call for a national effort or crusade based on a zero tolerance of corruption involving civil organisations, NCCE, Ministry of Information, mass media and religious organisation. We also call for a national reorientation towards building a strong public consciousness against bribery and corruption.
Hayford Atta-Krufi
On behalf of
NPP UK BRANCH.