CORRUPTION is one canker that continues to stifle our march for economic prosperity in this country. It is estimated that Ghana annually loses 3 billion Ghana Cedis of the tax payer’s money in corrupt activities.
THE sum involved, admittedly is colossal. This is money that could have gone into giving our communities schools, roads, health facilities and potable water among other amenities.
SADLY, parts of our country to date still wallow in abject poverty and deprivation for which the 2016 flag-bearer of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, aptly described as Forgotten Communities during the period of the 2016 election campaigns. Monies lost to corruption could easily have lifted these deprived communities from abject deprivation.
THIS is the more reason we must all actively get involved in the fight against corruption. And this can be effective when those at the helm of affairs demonstrate to Ghanaians that they frown upon corruption. The point is that we must have more accountability and transparency on the part of our political leaders
AND one way of doing this is through the declaration of assets by our public officers. In fact, our laws make it mandatory for all public office holders to declare their assets upon assumption of office—which law does not exempt the president and his ministers. But, oftentimes, it becomes difficult, especially for our political leaders, to declare their assets. Why this has often been the case is something we still cannot understand.
HOWEVER, it is good news that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has charged his ministers to declare their assets within two weeks of taking office. This announcement was made by the president while swearing into office some 13 approved ministers at the seat of government – Flagstaff House – recently. He went on to disclose that: “I myself filed my own asset declaration forms two weeks ago after entering into this office on the 23rd of January. All Chapter 24 office holders should do the same.”
TODAY sees this move by the president as a testament of leadership by example and, especially his commitment to the fight against corruption. However, it must not end at just declaring of assets, but equally making public such declarations. In that manner Ghanaians would be privy to what properties our ministers had before entering into public service.
WE make this point because we have seen cases of high profile public officials who have used their official positions to milk the country dry. Such officials saw their positions as an opportunity to amass wealth at the expense of the ordinary Ghanaian. That apart, we must state that the move by the president to have all his ministers declare their assets is good, and it will no doubt help in our efforts to fight corruption, particularly at the top.
Join GhanaStar.com to receive daily email alerts of breaking news in Ghana. GhanaStar.com is your source for all Ghana News. Get the latest Ghana news, breaking news, sports, politics, entertainment and more about Ghana, Africa and beyond.
