Voters are accountable to society - Abu Sakara

Dr Foster Abu Sakara, the 2012 presidential candidate of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), has advised the electorate to be careful with the choices they make because they are accountable to the society.

Speaking at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences forum on the topic “Political Accountability and Good Governance,” Dr Sakara said politicians entered into offices through the electorate, and it was important they (electorate) demanded accountability from them as well.

“The electorate are accountable to the society and should be blamed if they make the wrong choice for the country,” he said.

He said Ghana was endowed with rich natural mineral resources such gold, diamond, oil, cocoa, manganese and bauxite, a prospect that surpassed other countries on the African continent.

Dr Sakara said it was, therefore, imperative for any leader voted into office to use the nation’s resources for development since there was no basis to fail.

“Any politician, who fails to use the rich natural resources available for the development of the country, should be held accountable,” he added.

He also called for the passage of the Right to Information Bill to enable the public to have access to any information pertaining to the governance of the country.

Mr Vitus Azeem, Executive Director, Ghana Integrity Initiative, said lack of political accountability and weak governance fueled corruption, adding that nepotism, lobbying and extortion could also cause serious harm to the national economy.

He said professional groups such as accountants, lawyers, journalists and other civil society organisations must see themselves as playing a watchdog role and providing a sustained and credible leadership in demand for political accountability and good governance.