Don't rumour corruption, take a stand - Mahama demands

The Presidential candidate of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), President John Mahama has advised political parties and civil society groups to take a more proactive stance against corruption instead of propagating rumours about it.

Speaking on the issue of corruption at the IEA’s final Presidential debate on Wednesday, the President noted that government alone was not going to be able to fight corruption as required a collective effort.

“Corruption in Ghana is anecdotal; government alone cannot fight corruption. It takes all our people to fight it. We must not just rumour corruption. We must be prepared to stand against corruption and I think that that is one area in which we are lacking,” he opined.

According to him, political parties, groups and individuals are interested in accusing people of corrupt practices but are not prepared to hold “the person’s feet to the fire and that is one attitude we must change.”

He pledged to involve the judiciary in the fight against corruption by instructing it to accept evidence from sting operations like works of individuals like Anas Aremeyaw Anas.

The Presidential candidate of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Dr. Abu Sakara on his part, promised to put the Whistle Blowers Act to use and also establish a complaint committee in offices and public places to enable members of the public to easily make complaints of corruption.

“Thereafter, the Whistle Blowers Act which we have put in place but not empowered because we do not give anonymity and security; we will make sure that those things are put in place to ensure that when people make complaints, they are not the ones who get punished and this is very important to the detection of corruption.”

The Presidential candidate of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Hassan Ayariga on the same matter emphasised the PNC's commitment to fight corruption and promised to lead by example in fight against corruption.

“Speak and act against it. We have Institutions like CHRAJ, EOCO... committed to the fight against corruption. These institutions must be resourced and a PNC government will do more than what the other parties are promising in this respect.”

The Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo emphasised the importance of the fight against corrupt in relation to the development of the country.

He also promised to strengthen institutions that deal with corruption to independently investigate and prosecute individuals engaged in the practice.

“We need to work in such a way that the leadership of our country will not countenance certain types of conduct and that people will be ready apply sanctions and punishment where it is necessary,” he added.