War against corruption won’t be won overnight – Akufo-Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said the fight against corruption in Ghana will not be won overnight.

The President noted that he has put in place several measures to deal with the canker, indeed, and not just in words.

The government has received a lot of flak following the involvement of some of its officials including the former Public Procurement Authority (PPA) boss, Mr A.B. Adjei, and some others, in alleged acts of corruption.

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Mr Emmanuel Asigri, and his two deputies have been sacked for alleged procurement breaches.

Following these happenings, a former Director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative, Mr Vitus Azeem described the current Akufo-Addo-led government as the worst in the fight against corruption.

“…With every chain of a new government, it seems to worsen, and you can see it with this present government. It was not as bad as it was under Kufuor, it was not as bad as it was under Atta Mills and Rawlings…especially this 2019. The things that are coming out are very unfortunate and should not be happening,” he told Ghanaweb.

He added: “…Now, people are touting the government [as] One Day-One Scandal [administration], not One village-One Dam. So, you begin to wonder: what is it that we have gotten wrong; why is this happening…?”

Speaking at a Ghana Bar Association event in the Western Region on Monday, 9 September 2019, Mr Akufo-Addo said his “government is committed to fighting corruption not just in words but more importantly in deed.

“Many actions have been taken by this government in dealing with the acts of corruption.

“The days when the punishment of erring public officials was a relocation to the presidency are over; where prosecutions are called for, there have been or will be initiated.”

“The war against corruption will not be won overnight but with political will, it will be won,” he added.