NPP UK Statement in support

NPP UK has learnt of the intended peaceful demonstration being organized by the Coalition of Ghanaians against Electoral Fraud (COGEF) and Ghanaians Abroad Against Corruption (GHACO). NPP UK hereby issues the following statement in support.

On Thursday 12 May 2016, Prime Minister David Cameron hosted a landmark international anti-corruption summit at Lancaster House in London. The aim of the summit, (which followed hot on the heels of the ‘Tackling Corruption Together Conference’ hosted by the Commonwealth Secretary General, The Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland QC who has observed that, ‘every dollar lost to corruption is a dollar lost to investing in a child’s education, healthcare or much needed infrastructure’) is to bring together world leaders, business and civil society in order to agree a package of practical measures which are designed to achieve the following;

• Step up global action to expose corruption and galvanize a global response to tackle it, so there is nowhere (for the perpetrators of it) to hide.

• Support those affected by corruption and punish those who perpetrate it.
• Drive out the culture of corruption wherever it exists.
The following issues were raised at the summit. The cost of corruption, the evils of the lack of government transparency and corporate secrecy and the need to change the culture of corruption. The need for the setting up of a global asset recovery forum, the strengthening of international institutions, and the enforcement of international anti-corruption laws.
In what some commentators believe was an unguarded moment the British Prime Minister was heard remarking that the leaders of some fantastically corrupt countries would be attending the summit. The Archbishop of Canterbury was heard to say by way of response that the current Nigerian President is not corrupt, hence his ability to lead the fight against corruption. President Buhari has said in no uncertain terms that corruption is one of the greatest enemies of our time.

We understand that the Ghanaian President, H. E. John Dramani Mahama, who has been described by one of his predecessors (H.E. J.J. Rawlings) as presiding over the most corrupt Government in Ghana’s history was present. From the photos we have seen, his demeanour suggest that he was feeling very uncomfortable. It is no secret that the cancer of corruption, particularly affects developing and resource rich countries like Ghana. Corruption in developing countries takes many forms, but all have the same outcome. It perpetuates poverty, denies access to justice, tears at the entire fabric of the society, provides platforms for international terrorism and destroys nation states.

Under the leadership of John Dramani Mahama, corruption in Ghana has become deep rooted, endemic and systemic. Corrupt practices, which are an outcome and symptom of his incompetent and poor leadership, have severely undermined the rule of law, stunted Ghana’s economic growth and development, resulted in the preventable loss of lives and the fall of numerous small and medium sized enterprises.

Ghana has been plunged into a crisis. Agriculture and manufacturing, once bedrocks of our development are now at a low ebb. Inflation is high. Taxes are rising. Businesses both big and small are struggling. Unemployment is high with millions (including graduates) being out of work. Appointments are not based on merit. The healthcare system is in shambles with the collapse of the NHIS. The cost of education is now beyond the reach of many struggling families, and those who do go to school are not getting the kind of education needed to compete on the world stage of the 21st century. The economy is in tatters and severe economic hardships have been foisted upon the hard working people of Ghana.

Mahama’s ministers practice corruption with outrageous impunity. Kickbacks are frequently taken in exchange for awarding public contracts, resulting in a highly corrupt public sector and new and emerging industries are exposed to particular abuse.

Examples abound. The President sat by and watched unconcerned as his transport minister Dzifa Attivor recklessly branded a fleet of Metro Mass transport buses with the President’s effigy. A vain and vulgar multi-million dollar frolic which cost the hard pressed tax payer in excess of US$ 3,600,000.00.

Diversion, within the last few weeks of US$ 250,000,000.00 out of a US$1,000,000,000,000.00 Euro bond into a private bank means that millions of dollars that should have gone on infrastructural development have effectively been stolen. This rampant corruption undermines the peace enjoyed by the people. The levels of poverty and inequality under Mahama are devastating.

The Woyome millions, (GHC 51,000,000.00) stolen with impunity from the Ghanaian tax payer. Not forgetting SADA, GYEEDA, the Embraer jet scandal, ISOFOTON and Waterville judgment debts. The list continues and includes a plane load of gold bars being diverted to Iran and millions of dollars allegedly being airlifted to South America in clear breach of international money laundering regulations.

According to a former security aide, since assuming the presidency, Mahama and his wife Lordina have acquired over 22 luxury properties in the UK alone and the President’s properties in Dubai include a multi-million dollar hotel. He and his family live a life of luxury at the expense of ordinary Ghanaians many of who live in grinding poverty.

The President’s brother who used to be unemployed and impecunious in the UK has become one of the wealthiest men in Africa. A billionaire owner of several private jets, and reported to be worth in excess of US$ 2,000,000,000.00. Ministers, who had no jobs before entering Mahama’s government have become the owners of numerous filling stations and luxury houses in Ghana, South Africa, Dubai and the UK! They must account to the people and explain the source of what on the face of it is clearly ill gotten wealth.

President Mahama has, time and again, demonstrated a bewildering lack of moral courage and continues to use corruption to prop up his failed and failing regime. People have been robbed of the life that they might have had and his regime has and continues to hurt the poorest the most. The nation is currently experiencing the highest electricity tariffs in Ghana’s history. Dumsor has resulted in the loss of lives and the collapse of hundreds of small and medium sized enterprises. Mr President, corruption is a crime!
We hereby call upon President Mahama to follow the example of President Buhari. We say; don’t engage in semantics. Lift the cover of secrecy. Open up government data to the citizenry. Call your cronies to order, dissociate yourself from the perpetrators if you can. Track them down, trace the assets, call for the return of our stolen billions and return them to the people. The cronies who need to face the full rigours of the law should!
Set the ball rolling by demanding probity, integrity, transparency and openness from your ministers. Instruct them to account to the good people of Ghana. Let them explain the source of their ill-gotten wealth. Tell us what steps you are going to take to empower the citizens of your country to fight corruption.
Finally, Mr President, we invite you to add your voice to the thousands from civic society, political parties, students’ groups, trade unions, traditional rulers, market women and others, calling for a credible and transparent electoral register, free from ghost names, minors, foreigners and those deceased, so as to ensure that this year’s elections are free and fair.