Special Prosecutor Act will instil discipline – Bawumia

Ghana’s Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is upbeat the implementation of the Special Prosecutor Act, that was given a presidential assent on Tuesday, will bring discipline into governance.

After going through about 30 amendments, the Special Prosecutor Bill was passed into law in November 2017. It gives power to an independent prosecutor who will be tasked with the responsibility of prosecuting past and present public officers deemed to have been corrupt.

Dr. Bawumia on Thursday underscored that, “Signing of the Special Prosecutor Bill into law is a significant step in the president’s determination to fight corruption in the public life of our dear nation,”

The Vice President further remarked: “Both past and present public officers will be under the microscope and held to account for their actions. This will help fight corruption and ensure prudent use of our resources for the benefit of all.”

Dr. Bawumia was speaking at the 86th Annual National Convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission at Pomadze in the Central region. The Convention was under the theme: “Ensuring a Disciplined Society: The Role of Religion.”

He noted that although the Akufo-Addo-led government is committed to building a robust economy to provide equal opportunity for all Ghanaians by rolling out some bold policy initiatives, these initiatives would require high levels of collaboration, commitment and discipline to be successful.

Dr. Bawumia therefore called for concerted efforts from all in society to stamp out social vices such as corruption, stealing, over-invoicing, and tax evasion.

For instance, he said, religious bodies have a mandate to provide training that is capable to transform society and the individual.

“Without this guidance, the human being, in his physical state, has the tendency towards unacceptable behaviours,” he stressed.

Touching on some of the NPP campaign promises that have been fulfilled, Dr. Bawumia mentioned that the Northern Development Authority, Coastal Development Authority and Middle Belt Development Authority bills will manage the cedi equivalent of $1 million allocation to every constituency to undertake basic infrastructure projects.

“This is aimed at enhancing bottom-up development by increasing economic activity at the local level, and can only be achieved with significant levels of discipline and commitment.”

He also pointed out that the Zongo Development Fund Bill was signed into law as a result of government’s attempt to utilize resources prudently to benefit deprived communities.