Government won’t rush to throw corrupt NDC officials into jail – Pius Hadzide

Deputy Minister of information, Pius Enam Hadzide has stated that the Akufo-Addo-led administration is not in a haste to bring to book all corrupt officials of the erstwhile NDC administration.

According to him, the priority of the government is set on alleviating the Ghanaian people from the harsh suffering they went under during the erstwhile John Mahama regime.

Speaking to Kweku Owusu Adjei on Anopa Kasapa on Kasapa 102.5 FM, the Deputy minister indicated that, although the majority may be interested in seeing some corrupt former officials locked up in jail, the interest of the government is to allow the investigative bodies space to deliver on their mandate and not to rush the process.

“We are looking at ending the suffering of Ghanaians but not to waste time arresting people who are alleged to have stolen government money. That is not our priority. The sort of corruption we met when we took over, if we want to make that our priority, Ghanaians will suffer more, so let focus on the transformation agenda and lets allow the investigative bodies to do their investigative work”, he said.

However, he is of the sure conviction that, soon after the government has laid hands on something substantial enough, they will bring to book all who are found culpable of various act of corruption.

“The government has its own plans and program, those working on the investigation will have to finish and tender it in for us to take actions. We plead for some time to make sure we bring people to book”, he said.

At least about three billion dollars is lost annually to corruption and this represents about 300 per cent of all aid inflows to the nation, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has said.

The anti-graft body has said corrupt practices are sinking the fortunes of the nation, and hence Ghana Beyond Aid “mantra” by the Akufo-Addo-led administration was achievable if citizens together with government “put our house in order”.