Corrupt gov’t officials benefitted from brochure gaffe – Ocquaye

Former Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Prof Mike Ocquaye, has criticised officials of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) for capitalising on Ghana’s independence anniversary to “create, loot, and share” funds from government coffers.

The former Member of Parliament (MP) for Dome-Kwabenya, who was a guest on Class FM’s Executive Breakfast Show, could not understand why the printing of brochures for the 6th March Independence Day celebration was taken from the Information Services Department (ISD) and given to a private entity without any justification.

He said the ISD executed the task excellently for many years and the only reason which could be linked to the sudden change of affairs would be the corrupt practices of some officials, who want to line their pockets with government money.

“This is an NDC create, loot, and share once more. This is the thing that rips people of dignity in this country. Do they want to destroy the country?” he questioned.

Prof Ocquaye further explained to the host, Ekow Mensah-Shalders, on Monday 21 March, 2016, that the development, coupled with the numerous errors in the brochure, was the worst thing by a national office since the tenure of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of the country.

He demanded a full inquiry into the matter, and the meting out of appropriate sanctions to those found culpable for the “shameful” act.

“So, suddenly, somebody decided that it should be taken from the ISD. We are told and hear that it was hijacked and it landed on some individual’s lap, who printed it privately and that individual made money. Should there be rumours like these? Let there be an open committee to investigate the matter,” he charged.

Responding to a question by the host if presidential staffer Stan Dogbe should be sacked over the issue, he said it was very clear that “this gentleman was at the forefront of the production of the brochure and now is walking scot free. Till today, no one has told us who printed the brochure, who gave the order and how much it cost. The way we are treating this, it is a pity”.

Prof Ocquaye wants government to put in measures to deal with such corrupt practices and save the country another embarrassment.