Statesman Dr Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe has called for spirited, commitment and endurance in the fight against corruption.
He said that despite the level of corruption, the quest to eliminate the canker was attainable and should attract the support of all.
Dr Tamakloe was speaking at the third edition of the Asogli Anti-Corruption forum and said fighting corruption need not be the responsibility of the government alone.
He called for strong, independent institutions which he said should be “properly resourced and encouraged to carry out their mandate without fear or favour,”
He said crucial entities such as the Office of the Special Prosecutor should be given the needed independence and support to function.
A call was made for the Right To Information law to be fully implemented.
Dr Tamakloe Said the government should adopt transparent processes in public procurement, budgeting and policy implementation, and commended anti-corruption agencies such as the Ghana Integrity Initiative for sustaining the fight.
The Statesman also said asset declaration laws should be made more effective in implementation,
“Leaders must lead by example. There must be a higher standard of ethical conduct for those in power, both within the government and the private sector,”
Dr Tamakloe emphasised the need to build a culture of accountability from the ground up, and to make effective, various platforms for whistle-blowing, which would protect those who fight corruption.”
Daniel Yao Dormelevo, former Auditor General turned anti-corruption campaigner also was a speaker at the event and called for a national transition from corruption to integrity.
“This can be achieved sooner or later if we fight corruption,” he said.
Mr Dormelevo went on to say that ethical and transformational leadership was required in establishing and sustaining a multi-faceted approach to the fight against corruption and called for the strengthening of anti-corruption laws.
He said laws to ensure proper lifestyle audits of public officials should also be affected.
“If we build a good system, we all will benefit from it,” he asserted.
Other speakers at the anti-corruption forum include Mensah Thompson and Eric Ahiafor, also known as anti-corruption campaigners, and all who helped expand the conversation surrounding corruption in the country.
The various speakers commended Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of Asogli for institutionalising the anti-corruption day celebration and hoped it would bear significantly on the national outlook.
Togbe Afede, in his remarks, spoke of the extended consequences of corruption and stated, “massive job losses,” and rising suicide rates in the country.
He said it therefore became crucial to work together as a nation against the corruption menace and to eschew tribalism and other forms of disunity which he said caused corruption to strive.
Togbe Afede said the Asogli State recognised the need to actively contribute to the fight, and thus the anti-corruption day celebration would feature permanently in the popular festival.
“The fight against corruption is very important and that’s why it has been made part of the Yam Festival,” he said.
The presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has openly criticised former President John Dramani Mahama’s economic management, describing it as the worst among Ghana’s Fourth Republic leaders.
According to him, during Mr. Mahama’s tenure, the economy experienced substantial setbacks across multiple sectors, marked by soaring inflation, sluggish growth, and increasing unemployment.
Speaking at the Ghana CEO Presidential Gala in Accra last Thursday, Dr. Bawumia asserted that his criticism was based on hard economic data rather than partisan views.
He contrasted this with what he described as Ghana’s improved economic trajectory under NPP leadership, asserting that Mr. Mahama’s tenure represented a “decisive failure in economic stewardship.”
Dr. Bawumia stressed that his analysis was intended to highlight the need for sound economic management and that his remarks were meant to shed light on measurable outcomes of Mr. Mahama’s policies, which he said weakened the country’s economic resilience.
The NPP presidential candidate expressed his commitment to building on the progress achieved under the Akufo-Addo administration.
He underscored the importance of data-driven policies and positioned himself as the candidate most capable of navigating Ghana through future economic challenges.
“Despite the impact of global economic challenges, it might surprise some, including the former president himself, that his administration ranks the lowest in economic performance among all Fourth Republic leaders,” Dr. Bawumia reiterated.
He continued, “Yet, he speaks about our economic performance as though his was superior.”
Business Development
Dr. Bawumia also used the opportunity to reaffirm his commitment to strengthening business development in the country, stressing that resilient businesses are foundational to a thriving economy.
He praised the role of the private sector in creating jobs, driving innovation, and fostering sustainable growth.
The NPP flagbearer detailed policies introduced by the current administration to support Ghanaian businesses, including initiatives aimed at enhancing entrepreneurship, expanding access to credit, and advancing digitalisation.
According to Dr. Bawumia, these steps are critical to building a competitive, innovative, and resilient business sector.
He promised that, if elected, he would continue to prioritise business growth in order to ensure the Ghanaian economy remains vibrant and competitive on a global scale.
“Ladies and gentlemen, as you may know, Bawumia means business! From banking to vice presidency, my commitment to business development has been unwavering.
“Strong businesses lead to a strong economy—show me a prosperous nation, and I’ll show you resilient businesses behind it,” he concluded.
The Ghana Union Movement (GUM) has criticised the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for “mismanaging the country” and supervising the sale of state-owned businesses bequeathed by previous governments.
The Party said the sale of state-owned factories to private individuals and failure to revive defunct state enterprises largely accounted for the growing youth employment situation that had bedeviled the country.
These were contained in a news release issued by the Party’s founder and leader, Reverend Christian Kwabena Andrews, and shared with the Ghana News Agency.
The GUM urged the youth to “be concerned about their future” and vote to break the duopoly enjoyed by the NPP and NDC for decades.
“Embracing both NDC and NPP as a party is just endorsement of the continuity of the Ghanaian predicament. Ghanaian youth must rise to vote massively against these parties, because they were the source of our problems today,” it said.
The GUM said the slow pace of development since the commencement of the Fourth Republic in 1992 justified the call for the “total overhaul” of the 1992 Constitution “considering the mess caused by both NDC and NPP government respectively.”
The Party proposed the adoption of what it termed as “Hybrid African Democracy” which it said was suitable governance model for the country.
“The current model was copied line, hook, and sinker from the West, where they have established and structured institutions to make their democracy work,” it said.
The GUM also called for downsizing of Parliament to reduce the cost of running the business of the House.
The Party said that salaries and benefits awarded to 275 Members of Parliament as well as Article 75 Office Holders “drain the national purse than building it.”
“We urge the public to vote for the Ghana Union Movement for a reliable, better Ghana with the Ghanaian youth as its core,” the Party said.
The GUM caused a stir when it placed third in the 2020 presidential election, beating the traditional Convention People’s Party, People’s National Convention, and the Progressive People’s Party.
The party garnered 105,548 votes, representing 0.805 per cent of the total ballots cast.
Rev. Andrews has indicated that the Party would build on its achievements in 2020 and affect the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.
The GUM has promised to establish factories in every region and operate a free port to boost economic activities and improve the living conditions of the people.
In a significant development, Ghana’s Parliament Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin is set to address the media on Wednesday, November 6, 2024.
The press conference, scheduled for 2:00 pm at the Justice D.F. Annan Auditorium, Job 600, Parliament House, aims to tackle critical issues affecting Ghana’s parliamentary democracy.
Recent Developments
Alban Bagbin’s address comes amidst significant political developments in Ghana.
As Speaker, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s legislative agenda.
His leadership has been marked by efforts to strengthen parliamentary oversight and promote transparency.
The engagement seeks to provide a platform for the media to discuss pressing concerns impacting Ghana’s democratic growth.
The Speaker, Alban Bagbin, is expected to shed light on recent events that have shaped the country’s political landscape.