Attempts to tag me corrupt won’t work – Akufo-Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has taken a swipe at his opponents over the perception that he has consistently cleared all appointees of his alleged to have engaged in corrupt deals.

He, therefore, shrugged off criticism that he shields those appointees.

The president says he only acts on conclusions of investigative bodies and committees.

“It is not my job to clear or convict any person accused of wrongdoing, or of engaging in acts of corruption,” the president stated.

“My job is to act on allegations of corruption by referring the issue or issues to the proper investigative agencies for the relevant enquiry and necessary action. That is exactly what has been done since I assumed the mantle of leadership on 7th January, 2017.”

The president expressed these on Monday, September 9 while addressing the 2019 Conference of the Ghana Bar Association in Takoradi, the Western Region.

The Association is meeting as per Article 16 of the GBA constitution.

It opened on Sunday, September 8 and scheduled to end on Friday, September 13. It is themed: ‘Enhancing National Security Through the Rule of Law: Prospects and Challenges’.

Speaking as the guest of honour, President Akufo-Addo expressed the feeling that there is an orchestrated attempt by his opponents to hang on him the tag of corruption.

Some have called the presidency a “clearing house” with the president as the “clearing agent”.

These critics cite the clearing of the two deputy chiefs of staff, the former deputy sports minister, Pius Enam-Hadzide, who is now a Deputy Information Minister, and the board chairman of the National Sports Authority as cases that could have landed the accused in jail.

But the president said such citations are deliberate.

“It will not work. I did not come into public life to enrich myself,” he stressed.

He indicated that when any appointee of his is alleged to have engaged in any corrupt act, he follows due process.

“If an appointee is cleared of any wrongdoing, the evidence adduced and recommendations made by these agencies, after the investigations are concluded, are what clear the accused persons, not myself.

“None of these agencies has ever indicated any pressure from the Executive over their investigations.”