Corruption has become a national disaster under Akufo-Addo's watch - Group

A group calling itself, Caucus for Democratic Governance Ghana (CDG-GH) has opined that corrupt activities have become a national disaster under the watch of President Akufo-Addo.

Some Ghanaians have levelled corrupt activities against the NPP government led by President Akufo-Addo since the assumption of office.

In a statement issued on Thursday, June 28 and signed by the group's Chief Convener, Dr. E. K. Hanford, the group jabbed President Akufo-Addo for not protecting the national purse of which corrupt activities are happening under his watch.

According to him, Ghanaians are suffering, unemployment is high, price of food is high, fuel price is high, transport fares are high and Ghanaians are helpless because the government is looting the public purse.

"This wisdom is yet to be captured by our President. What he knows best is collection of $100,000 “cash for seat”, $20,000 cash before you see the President. How to protect his presidency by putting clan members, relatives and friends in strategic positions to protect his office and incompetence", he jabbed.

He alleged that President Akufo-Addo and family went on holidays in Britain and spent GHC20 million at the expense of the taxpayer.

"Not long ago, the President, his wife, his children, his grandchildren and bodyguards went on holidays in Britain at the expense of the taxpayer, while he induces Ghanaians to patronize tourism in Ghana? Besides the President`s many foreign trips has cost the taxpayer over GHC20million. Is that the way to protect the public purse?", he alleged.

He asked what the Special Prosecutor is doing about these corrupt activities happening under the watch of President Akufo-Addo.

Below is the full statement

CAUCUS FOR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE

PRESS RELEASE

28th June 2018

“I will protect the public purse", Trumpeted Nana Akufo-Addo

Travel Ban

Last week, a letter from the President`s office signed by the Chief of Staff (Madam Akosua Frema Osei-Opare), directed a temporary travel ban on all Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCE`s) and heads of all Government Agencies. Travels, including that of the President which are costing the taxpayer heavily and disrupting economic growth.

Review of 2017 Budget

Review of 2017 Budget, show phenomenal budgetary Allocation and Wasteful Expenditure at the Office of the President. A total budget of over one billion new cedis (GHc 1,269,392,407) was approved for the Office of the President.

Out of the total amount, 37 million new cedis (GHC37,255,287) was approved for compensation

152 million new cedis (Ghc 151,739,332) for goods and services

1.3 billion new cedis (GHc 1,269,392,402) for capital expenditure at the Vice President’s Secretariat.

Question

The Caucus for Democratic Governance (CDG-GH) would humbly like to ask; what kind of purchases of goods and services will amount to about 76 million new cedis (GHC 76,290,067.94) for the Office of the Chief of Staff and VEEP Secretariat within 9 months?

Comparative figures for presidency budget

2015 (NDC) GHC326 million

2016 (NDC) GHC453 million

2017 (NPP) 1.5 billion GHc110 Ministers @ about 8,000 GHc /month

2018 (NPP) 1.9 billion

GHc 110 Ministers @ about 8,000 GHc/month

Effects / Results

Putting this in proper perspective, the immediate effect of the wasteful expenditure at the Presidency is that key growth sectors are denied resources to generate economic growth and development

Holiday in Britain

Not long ago, the President, his wife, his children, his grandchildren and bodyguards, went on holidays in Britain at the expense of the taxpayer, while he induces Ghanaians to patronize tourism in Ghana? Besides the President`s many foreign trips, has cost the taxpayer over 20million GHc, Is that the way to protect the public purse?

Word of advice

Just this week, former President of Nigeria, Obasanjo is reported to have commented on our 998 presidential staffers. “The economy of Ghana is suffering if they have 998 Presidential staffers”. As if that is not enough, we also have the highest number of ministers in the world. No country in the world has 110 Ministers.

The Ministers take home an average of 8,000 GHc monthly, without rent and car allowances, without 4WD, security. Calculated over four years (48 months) for 110 Ministers gives .over 42 million. Is that the way to protect the public purse?

Early this year, the Sudanese Billionaire Mo Ibrahim wondered why Africans vote old persons as President when some other countries have Presidents who are 35 – 55 years old.

He wondered why African Presidents fly round the globe, when they can buy video conferencing equipment so they can sit in their countries work and conference with partners in Europe China and Americas?

This wisdom is yet to be captured by our President. What he knows best is collection of $100,000 “cash for seat”, $20,000 cash before you see the President. How to protect his presidency by putting clan members, relatives and friends in strategic positions to protect his office and incompetence.

Ghanaians are suffering, unemployment is high, price of food is high, fuel price is high, transport fares are high and Ghanaians are helpless because the Government is looting the public purse.

Conclusion

Corruption has become a National disaster of extraordinary dimension and demands extraordinary measures to solve. Corruption is draining the public purse.

The country is bleeding and the Special Prosecutor seems not to have the mandate to prosecute corruption in the Government. Why? Is corruption divisible?

Signed!

Dr E. K. Hayford, Chief Convener CDG-GH

Tel: 0277606338 / 0542490709