Too much “greedy corruption” in Ghana – Jon Benjamin

The outgoing British High Commissioner to Ghana Jon Benjamin has lashed out at public officials over what he termed “far too much greedy and wanton corruption” in Ghana.

“We have seen far too much greedy, wanton corruption in too many spheres in government, in politics, public administration, in business, in traditional leadership, in football and in the media and there are too many levels from top to bottom,” the outspoken emissary said at a public event Saturday.

Mr. Benjamin lamented the fact that no one over the last decade has been prosecuted in the face of corrupt practices in the country, citing the arson attack at the Central Medical Stores two years ago as an example.

“I refer to highly padded single source contracts and unfairly awarded tenders. I refer to obvious conflict of interests by those using state positions to promote private business interest,” the diplomat decried.

He added: “I refer to numerous cases on which no action is taken such as the arson at the Central Medical Stores in early 2015 in which over four million Pounds worth of UK funded medical supplies were destroyed of which nobody, at least, yet has faced justice. Indeed, nobody and not a single person of any high standing has gone to jail for corruption in Ghana for more than a decade.”

On her part, the Attorney General Gloria Akuffo promised the Akufo-Addo-led administration is working around the clock to deal with corruption canker in Ghana. She said the Office of a Special Prosecutor which is being initiated will cure the menace.