Leaders urged to fight corruption- Saaka

Kumasi, Sept 3, GNA- Professor Yakubu Saaka, a presidential aspirant of the People's National Convention (PNC), has stated that the lack of political will on the part of Ghanaian leaders in fighting corruption was the main cause for the canker in the country. He accused the leaders of not setting good examples in the campaign against the canker, alleging, "they had over the years failed to practice what they preach even though there were clear cases of corruption among some political leaders and people in authority as well as the citizenry".

Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi at the weekend, Prof Saaka said it was regrettable that the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) had since years back, made public pronouncement of their determination to curb corruption but failed to achieve the needed results. This, he said, was as a result of flaws in leadership, favouritism and the lack of clear-cut policies in dealing with the problem. "The two parties had over the years been engaged in vote-buying among party delegates and supporters, mismanagement of state resources and funds and other corrupt practices", Prof Saaka alleged. The PNC presidential aspirant pointed out that as the nation seek to reach a middle-income status by 2015, it was imperative that "our leaders became transparent, honest and also uphold truth and justice in the discharge of their duties".

They should also endeavour to be accountable to the people for efficient management of state resources and funds. Prof Saaka, 61, a lecturer in political science at the Oberlin College at Ohio in the United States of America, promised to restructure the PNC to make it viable enough to contest for power in the 2008 elections if he is given the nod as presidential candidate. "I would bring my experience, expertise and knowledge to bear on the Party in changing its fortunes, if delegates give me the mantle to lead them", he added.

Prof Saaka said he had all the potentials to stabilize Ghana's economy if given the opportunity and that he would commit resources to set up a substantial number of polytechnics, technical and vocational institutes to equip the youth with employable skills. This, he stated, would help in addressing the large unemployment rate among the youth in the country. In a related development, the Ashanti Regional branch of the PNC at the weekend elected its executives at a delegates' conference held in Kumasi.

The newly-elected executive members have Mr Thomas Akum-Yong as chairman, Mr Mamudu Bare, vice-chairman, Mr Abraham Hirohito Kabah, secretary, Mr Ali Aremeyaw, organizer, Madam Rita Afrakomaa, women's organizer, Mr Sakibu Mohammed, treasurer and Mr Hashim Yusif, youth organizer.