Jospong’s Akufo-Addo endorsement improper – Azeem

Anti-corruption campaigner, Vitus Azeem has sided with the Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Marfo in criticizing president Akufo-Addo for endorsing the activities of the chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies Joseph Siaw Agyapong.

“…More grease to your elbow and the contribution you are making to our social life is inestimable,” the incorruptible Akufo-Addo said of Mr. Siaw Agyepong during a visit to the Accra Compost and Recycling Plant at Adjen Kotoku.

“When you are at the forefront of doing things, like you are, you will be the subject of controversy, it goes with the territory. I know you a little bit, and I know you are capable of handling it. Stay focused,” the President said despite public knowledge that Jospong is being investigated for inflating costs of some contracts it executed under the erstwhile John Dramani Mahama administration.

However speaking Monday at a forum to launch this year’s national anti-corruption and transparency week in Accra, the Senior Minister disclosed that the president’s comment was inappropriate.

“It’s certainly not right. It will give the wrong signals if you are seen to be pampering or endorsing a known wrong doer…That one is not right,” he thundered emphatically.

Concurring with the senior Minister Monday on Starr Today, Mr. Azeem said “I think that what the president did was improper because there are several cases or allegations of corrupt acts, underhand dealings are made against the company – Juspong group of companies.

“And so for a president that has promised to fight corruption, one would have expected him to say that…if these allegations are not true he needs to work to clear them rather than commending him.”