Re: Corruption Is Everywhere

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KUKRUDU 12 years ago

CAPITAL OF CORRUPTION IS THE PASSPORT OFFICE - ACCRA

CAPITAL OF CORRUPTION IS THE PASSPORT OFFICE - ACCRA
William 12 years ago

OMG! Thank you for this wonderful article and I'm very glad that someone with great mind and excellent training has finally said something about that stupid corrupt police man. How on earth can this foolish "frafra" man say s ...
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OMG! Thank you for this wonderful article and I'm very glad that someone with great mind and excellent training has finally said something about that stupid corrupt police man. How on earth can this foolish "frafra" man say such a thing without a doubt or shaking other than knowing the IGP himself is corrupt and the captain of criminals in the police force. Why is president Mahama even tolerating the IGP Mohammed Alhassan at all! This is sad and unbelievable to know Ghana is moving this way in the hands of corrupt police officers that are clueless about security. I know people in Ghana can say anything and go free. Mohammed Alhassan is misleading the Ghana police and I'm serious about this. God bless this writer!
DusTY-FooT-pHiloSophER 12 years ago

Is it so important to roll in the "frafra" labelling to characterise the IGP Mohammed Alhassan? What is so wrong about his speech that necessitate your unnecessary write-up in response to Darko's piece in here? In fact, the m ...
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Is it so important to roll in the "frafra" labelling to characterise the IGP Mohammed Alhassan? What is so wrong about his speech that necessitate your unnecessary write-up in response to Darko's piece in here? In fact, the man was ranting over the pervasive corruption affecting every institution since post-independence Ghana and hence commanding his clarion call for all to equally carry the weight of the blame.

So then, what is wrong with this honest statement of his? How many able men have tried rescuing Ghana from the arms of “Kalabulism” and to no avail? A few good men, if you would be candid enough with yourself. Now, how do we collectively rid ourselves off this canker that is suffocating Ghana to death? Well, that is the basis of IGP Mohammed Alhassan’s recent rant. So, what is your beef with that?
Moses 12 years ago

I agree with you for once and only once because most of your postings are asupid. The Police Officer is an honest man, and I take his public admission of corruption in his instituition is to bring his fellow Officers to order ...
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I agree with you for once and only once because most of your postings are asupid. The Police Officer is an honest man, and I take his public admission of corruption in his instituition is to bring his fellow Officers to order. This Otchere Darko guy shouldn't think of himself as the depository of all wisdom, and hence comment on everything. Some of his statements are immature and nauseating.
JENGBERA JENGBE 12 years ago

Mr Otchere Darko has written brilliantly above on a malaise afflicting our society - our irresponsibility in public office and the failure of the system to penalise that irresponsibity. In writing to commend Mr Darko on his b ...
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Mr Otchere Darko has written brilliantly above on a malaise afflicting our society - our irresponsibility in public office and the failure of the system to penalise that irresponsibity. In writing to commend Mr Darko on his brilliance you, Wiiliam, exposed a WORSE malaise afflicting us - PREJUDICE or tribalism in other words. The silly policeman Awuni is Frafra, I 'm sure. But tribe should've had nothing to do with his irresponsibility or self-indictment. But your reference to his tribe in this instance is biased and tribalistic and, therefore, despicable and UTTERLY CONDEMNABLE.
OBURUMANKUMA 12 years ago

THE POLICE IS CRYING FOR HELP....dont you understand...THEIR CIVILIAN BOSSE ARE CORRUPT; BUT THE POLICE HAS LIMITED POWER....IT STARTS WITH THE PRESIDENT.. HE WILL NOT DECLARE HIS ASSETS .. THAT IS A BIG SIGNAL FOR EVERYONE E ...
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THE POLICE IS CRYING FOR HELP....dont you understand...THEIR CIVILIAN BOSSE ARE CORRUPT; BUT THE POLICE HAS LIMITED POWER....IT STARTS WITH THE PRESIDENT.. HE WILL NOT DECLARE HIS ASSETS .. THAT IS A BIG SIGNAL FOR EVERYONE ELSE TO GO ON A STEALING BINGE
ADWEN 12 years ago

This police man, ACP's admission of ubiquitous corruption is a complete admission of their (the police and government's) admission of failure to tackle a major problem facing the country and worsened by Mahama and his corrupt ...
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This police man, ACP's admission of ubiquitous corruption is a complete admission of their (the police and government's) admission of failure to tackle a major problem facing the country and worsened by Mahama and his corrupt "leadership team".
Yet no one will be held accountable. Mahama is so corrupt minded himself such that he just glosses over anything corruption. He has so far paid ne heed for him to declare his assets as the constitution tokenly requires, he has downgraded the GYEEDA corruption report, mute about TOR, MetroMass, SADA and many more.
How can he expect right thinking and selfless Ghanaians to respect him?
Since he fraudulently occupied the presidency, he has NOT SOLVED ANY SINGLE PROBLEM FACING GHANA, rather he keeps worsening issues everyday. Very sad indeed.
princewilly@ymail.com 12 years ago

At the height of a political corruption trial, the prosecuting attorney attacked a witness. "Isn't it true," he bellowed, "that you accepted five thousand dollars to compromise this case?"

The witness stared out the windo ...
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At the height of a political corruption trial, the prosecuting attorney attacked a witness. "Isn't it true," he bellowed, "that you accepted five thousand dollars to compromise this case?"

The witness stared out the window, as though he hadn't hear the question.

"Isn't it true that you accepted five thousand dollars to compromise this case?" the lawyer repeated loudly.

The witness still did not respond.

Finally, the judge leaned over and said, "Sir, please answer the question."

"Oh," the startled witness said, "I thought he was talking to you."
Kofi Abotsi 12 years ago

The problem with Ghana and with corruption is that no one is willing to own up to it, yet we know it pervades the entire society. This is not to say that there are Ghanaians who, as a matter of principle eschew corruption and ...
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The problem with Ghana and with corruption is that no one is willing to own up to it, yet we know it pervades the entire society. This is not to say that there are Ghanaians who, as a matter of principle eschew corruption and bear the nasty consequences of doing that. These people are however few and far between. I know what I am saying, and I believe those reading this comment know what I am saying. We as Ghanaians stand a chance of uprooting this cancer if we first own up to it. This where I salute Mr. Awuni's bravery. I have worked in the Public Service and I have worked in the Private Sector. I have experienced corruption as an ordinary citizen of this country. I have lived and worked in Europe before, and I am not attempting to say that there is no corruption in that part of the world. I have had my own personal experiences, and much as I was sad, I was also glad that, after all, Africa wasn't the only place where there is corruption. We are however talking about the pervasiveness of corruption in society. This is not the case in Europe. Without necessarily enumerating the instances where the nasty face of corruption bites into the very fabric of society, I can confidently say that corruption has become second nature to Ghanaians. I can say without thinking it over that Mr. Otchere Darko, whom I don't know personally, would have been at the receiving end of corruption at one time or the other before. By the same token, I can say without thinking it over that Mr. Otchere Darko, whom I still don't know personally, would have at one time or the other, been a tool for corrupt practices meted out to fellow Ghanaians, if he has not personally and directly engaged in it. Herein lies the jinx....NOBODY WILL OWN UP TO IT. We must start to congratulate anyone who owns up to the cancer, for it is from this point that a meaningful attempt can be made at unravelling the hydra-headed cancer, and a bold attempt made at uprooting it from society.
Sappey-Agboh, Atsiame - Avenorpeme 12 years ago

Mr Otchere failed to inform us why he thought ACP Awuni was wrong. Every single Ghanaian knows that corruption is perverse in society. The police service are not more corrupt than the other public institutions. Mr Awuni was j ...
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Mr Otchere failed to inform us why he thought ACP Awuni was wrong. Every single Ghanaian knows that corruption is perverse in society. The police service are not more corrupt than the other public institutions. Mr Awuni was just being honest in his assessment of the situation. Indeed, former President Kuffour said it succinctly, when he declared in his infamous 'Waa waa' speech that, "Corruption is as old as Adam". That is not to condone corruption but for Mr Otchere to accuse the police of failing in their duty to prevent corruption is patently wrong. It is absolutely intellectual dishonesty. The act of corruption involves two willing/unwilling parties. The giver and the taker. If the one who gives doesn't report the incident to the police, how would the police act? What about our courts, that quite often dispense justice in favour of the well-heeled? This happens regularly here in Europe too. How often do courts mete out the same punishment to the so-called celebrities vis a vis the less known criminals? Man wise up. Corruption is a wide world canker, except that due lack of education and poverty, it is more endemic in poorer countries than richer ones.

EFO KOKU 12 years ago

First of all ask yourself who is ACP Awuni. Is he an ordinary man like me & you? Can u go out on the street, raise your hand for a car to stop? Can you ask a driver to bring out his car documents? You should know that ACP Awu ...
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First of all ask yourself who is ACP Awuni. Is he an ordinary man like me & you? Can u go out on the street, raise your hand for a car to stop? Can you ask a driver to bring out his car documents? You should know that ACP Awuni has been given some powers that you & I doesn't have. The nonsense of the giver & taker makes no sense. Criminals will always try to have their way. Therefore will do anything to escape punishment. This where the law enforcer (Policeman) comes in. If he can't enforce the law, then what is his use? I'm surprise you said you live in Europe. I don't know which part but here in the U.S. no way. Giving a policeman bribe? I'm yet to see one. ACP Awuni it seems to me doesn't understand his duties hence talking about giver & taker. If everyone was to behave responsibly and act lawfully will we ever need the law enforcer who is also known as the law enforcer?
Concerned 12 years ago

Sometimes people in authority are powerless to do the right thing. Their frustration sometimes lead them to say things which at the surface might appear foolish. We are talking here about a deep rooted culture of corruption w ...
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Sometimes people in authority are powerless to do the right thing. Their frustration sometimes lead them to say things which at the surface might appear foolish. We are talking here about a deep rooted culture of corruption within the force. If you take it for granted that even the IGP can easily solve the problem, then you clearly do not understand the magnitude of the problem. When the last IGP caused the arrest and prosecution of some policemen who clearly were on the take, their fellow policemen hired lawyers to defend them. They were also very unhappy with the man. Whilst I am convinced it can be done, majority of the people you are going to do it with are themselves corrupt and part of the problem so there will be no cooperation. I think rather than talking, people should come up with strategies which shows they understand the problem fully and they have solutions for all the different issues involved . Lastly those who think there is no corruption in the west do not know what they are talking about.Lets put it this way, Woyome will not come into your house and steal your tv but don't be fooled into thinking he is not a thief.The average police constable in the UK will earn the salary of at least 3 Ghanaian doctors so they don't need to collect one cedi by the road side. But when no one is looking and the amounts involved are large, they take. Where they lead us is the control mechanism they have. That is what we need. Awuni cannot do it by himself.
JENGBERA JENGBE 12 years ago

Some of the statements I have read thus far on this all-important subject of corruption, which permeates our society through and through and keeps us underdeveloped, are really quite distressing. "Some people in authority are ...
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Some of the statements I have read thus far on this all-important subject of corruption, which permeates our society through and through and keeps us underdeveloped, are really quite distressing. "Some people in authority are powerless to do the right thing"? "The police service are not more corrupt than the other public institutions"? There is corruption in the West, too? I ask: are we really Ghanaians asking these questions and if we are, are we really serious?

Anyone in authority who is powerless to do anything, the right thing, with the power of his authority should make way for someone else. And if you know any such person, you should be ensuring the vacancy for someone who will do as required in authority. And, whoever says the police is not the most corrupt institution in Ghana really does not know what he is talking about. But, also, the police does not need to be the worst culprit in corruption for the finger to be pointed at them first and foremost. As the enforcing body of our laws, our Constitution has mandated the police as our guardian angel in whom the moral authority to protect and secure all of our lives is reposed. As to corruption in the West, what is that to do with Ghanaians living in Ghana and catching hell everyday because of corruption? There might very well be corruption in the USA and the UK and other parts, but in a generation abroad, I never saw a policeman or woman take a bribe in £, € or $ on the streets of London or Plymouth, Milan or Frankfurt, downtown Cleveland or in Boston. Of course, it would be naive not to imagine there was some corruption somewhere in those countries. But as overt, as blatant with the perpetrators as brazen, as rife and rampant, as conspicuous and insidious, as pervasive and as much of a morass in national life as corruption in Ghana is in Ghanaian life? No, not a chance in hell. The reason there is peripheral corruption, if there is corruption in those developed countries, is that the law works. The police do their job of investigating and prosecuting crime including corruption. The police do not sell their right of responsibility to the highest bidder; they do not shirk that responsibility at a price. The police are the custodian of society's collective responsibility to do the right thing by itself ad all its people.

So any time I hear a Ghanaian say we cannot do anything about corruption, it fills me with vexation. Any time I hear a Ghanaian plead helplessness in defence of some spineless, self-aggrandising leader who does not give a monkeys about corruption because he stands to benefit from the status quo, it vexes e even more. But what it also does is this: it confirms to me the mindset of the Ghanaian - that a typical Ghanaian sees a challenge as insurmountable even before they have appraised or tackled it and subsequently throw in the towel. It is for this reason we are where we are in terms of development - behind Malaysia, Singapore, Korea and all of the West. We are NEGATIVE and DEFEATIST. And, worse, we are a people bedevilled by our collective dearth of ambition and our lack of insight and foresight. But the nail in the coffin of our progress is our fatalistic attitude which accepts the unacceptable as fate and expects our faith in our charlatan religious leaders to exorcise the demons ( of poverty and lack of self-help initiative) of our communities and right the wrongs of our society. We must fight corruption. The IGP, Mr Mohammed Alhassan, has shown the way. Like the likes of ACP Awuni and the rest of us follow suit.
PKA 12 years ago

Efo, I think both you and Otchere Darko are on the wrong track. In the case of Otchere Darko, it appears he took ACP Awuni's statement out of context. ACP Awuni merely harped on the fact that corruption was a nationwide pro ...
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Efo, I think both you and Otchere Darko are on the wrong track. In the case of Otchere Darko, it appears he took ACP Awuni's statement out of context. ACP Awuni merely harped on the fact that corruption was a nationwide problem which had to be tackled at all levels. I think we should rather give the man credit for admitting that the Ghana Police Service was rife with corruption - and that steps needed to be taken to weed out the bad nuts.

Here is a quote from ACP Awuni's statement: "“The level of corruption in Ghana is very high….almost everybody and institution in the country is corrupt including the police and steps must be taken to reverse the situation." Many a time, the police have remained entrenched in their corrupt practices and have refused to publicly admit to being a corrupt institution. So, instead of Otchere Darko scolding ACP Awuni, I think he rather deserves a pat on the back for his honesty.

Efo, make no mistake - there is corruption within the police institution in the US. It's just that that in the US, it's more subtle and complicated. Of course, the ordinary patrolman on the streets would not accept bribe from a motorist like we see in Ghana; but, believe me, it happens at the highest level. In other words, incidences of bribery and corruption (which are extremely covert) occur within the top brass of the police. The difference is, in the US, such underhand dealings involving top police officials when investigated and made public, are regarded as huge scandals whereas in Ghana, police corruption is regarded as no big deal by an equally culpable public.
EFO KOKU 12 years ago

PKA, what do you think make Ghanaians conceive the idea that the police are the most corrupt institution in Ghana? It's the peanut they stand in the middle of the road in broad daylight and collect. Don't get me wrong when I ...
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PKA, what do you think make Ghanaians conceive the idea that the police are the most corrupt institution in Ghana? It's the peanut they stand in the middle of the road in broad daylight and collect. Don't get me wrong when I say there's no corruption in USA. There's but the extent at which Ghana police behaves gives everyone the go ahead. Do you think someone in the USA can openly demand a bribe from the police officer? But in Ghana the police pays bribe even when he goes to the interior ministry to get his stuff done. Why? Because the law enforcer is missing. The police institution in Ghana is a shame if not a sham. I expect the police to be the last person to collect bribe; but what do I see in Ghana? They are first in line in bribe taking. Right from the airport till you enter your house. Lets not try to defend them. They should know their duties. Police officer = Law enforcer!
OTCHERE DARKO 12 years ago

Kofi Abotsi,

The point I am stressing is this.....

If you are charged with the responsibility of arresting and prosecuting people who are corrupt, it becomes your responsibility to INVESTIGATE AND DEAL WITH ALL PEOPLE ...
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Kofi Abotsi,

The point I am stressing is this.....

If you are charged with the responsibility of arresting and prosecuting people who are corrupt, it becomes your responsibility to INVESTIGATE AND DEAL WITH ALL PEOPLE WHO ENGAGE IN CORRUPTION, INCLUDING THOSE IN THE POLICE. Awuni has not said anything that suggests this course of action.

I would, in fact, raise my hat and salute Mr Awuni IF he had said he was setting up a Committee to investigate allegations of corruption within the rank and file Police Service.

He did not say this. Instead, he defended his people by saying "we are not the only Ghanaians who are corrupt".

WE DON'T CALL THIS "OWNING UP".

WE CALL THIS "DEFENDING YOUR ORGANISATION" !!!!!!!!
Moses 12 years ago

Is Inspector Awuni the Interior Minister or the IGP to have the power to set up a Committee to investigate allegations of corruption?

Is Inspector Awuni the Interior Minister or the IGP to have the power to set up a Committee to investigate allegations of corruption?
Loulou 12 years ago

We have to make a start with this. People at the top must lead by example! Everyone in Ghana wants something for nothing! It got a lot better and now we seem to black to square one!!! Shame!

We have to make a start with this. People at the top must lead by example! Everyone in Ghana wants something for nothing! It got a lot better and now we seem to black to square one!!! Shame!
Pelicles 12 years ago

Where there is no humans, there is nothing like corruption so, corruption is part of us but in a society where humans tell the TRUTH and respect the RULE OF LAW, corruption can be minimized.

Ghanaians hate to tell the trut ...
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Where there is no humans, there is nothing like corruption so, corruption is part of us but in a society where humans tell the TRUTH and respect the RULE OF LAW, corruption can be minimized.

Ghanaians hate to tell the truth and we do not respect the rule law and that is why corruption has eaten the basic fabric of our society.

Corruption is in the US but if someone is arrested for that act, the punishment is there for all to see. There is no way that person, whether he is the president or the Supreme Court Judge or whatever entity, can walk away if he/she is arrested for corruption.

Look at Bernard Kerik the former New Your Police Commisioner. This man was almost given the position of Homeland Security Secretary but when he was found to have engaged in some shenanigans, he was tried and sent to jail. That is how the rule of law works. Can such a person be jailed in Ghana? No and never.

Whatever we Ghanaians say and do, the only thing we can do to ease corruption is to tell the truth and respect the rule of law else, we will stop beating about the bush. No amount of talk will ease corruption.
Moses 12 years ago

Rawlings and his NDC have made telling lies a badge of honour and not a vice. What do you expect in a society where lying is being accepted as a positive thing?

Rawlings and his NDC have made telling lies a badge of honour and not a vice. What do you expect in a society where lying is being accepted as a positive thing?

Kofi Ghanaba 12 years ago

You can't count corrupt institutions.Even you who wrote this piece. Even in the acadamia,everyday people, politicians,some pastors,women,men,etc.Please,stop wasting our space

You can't count corrupt institutions.Even you who wrote this piece. Even in the acadamia,everyday people, politicians,some pastors,women,men,etc.Please,stop wasting our space
OBURUMANKUMA 12 years ago

That explains everything

That explains everything
JENGBERA JENGBE 12 years ago

That explains nothing.

The corruption all around me which the people of Wa suffer every day has nothing to do with assets declaration by His Excellency the President Mahama. It has everything to do with the police. In the ...
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That explains nothing.

The corruption all around me which the people of Wa suffer every day has nothing to do with assets declaration by His Excellency the President Mahama. It has everything to do with the police. In the first and second quarters of the year 42 persons were killed either by the hurtling motor-king tricycle or the ubiquitous motorcycle. The union of motor-king drivers collect a monthly donation from its members which is paid to the police as protection money to ensure that the drivers get away with murder, manslaughter, the maiming of pedestrians and whatever other transgressions they may commit. 42 dead! The police are also in the majority in the ownership of that killing machine so they refuse to ban it from operating after sunset when its 'invisible' bucket mows its victims down. Wa is sitting on the edge of vigilantism because the police do nothing about robbery and armed robbery. They do absolutely nothing and it is no good, no use either reporting a robbery or dragging a thief to the police station. The police are in cahoots with organised crime so much so that the police were the spectators at a football match of thieves: Downtown Wa versus Kpaguri ( a suburb of Wa notorious as a habitat of thieves).
Concern Ghanabi 12 years ago

The writer is very very corrupt. I know him and his corrupt ways and dealings.

The writer is very very corrupt. I know him and his corrupt ways and dealings.
KANO 12 years ago

THEY'VE SHOWN WHAT CLASS? NONSENSE!!!

THE SC JUDGES ARE WAITING FOR THE HIGHEST BIDDER BEFORE THEY STOP "SLEEPING' ON THEIR VERDICT.

LAZY GHANAIAN LEADERS ALL OVER THE PLACE.

THAT'S GHANA'S LEADERSHIP FOR YOU - LE ...
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THEY'VE SHOWN WHAT CLASS? NONSENSE!!!

THE SC JUDGES ARE WAITING FOR THE HIGHEST BIDDER BEFORE THEY STOP "SLEEPING' ON THEIR VERDICT.

LAZY GHANAIAN LEADERS ALL OVER THE PLACE.

THAT'S GHANA'S LEADERSHIP FOR YOU - LEADERSHIP CORRUPTION AND LAZINESS EVERYWHERE.

THE "JUDGES" SHOULD HAVE DECIDED THIS CASE ONE OR TWO DAYS AFTER THE CLOSING SPEEHES IF THEY REALLY KNOW THEIR JOB, AND THE IMPACT OF THEIR DELAY ON OUR NATION'S ECONOMY.

THAT'S WHY I'D ALWAYS LOVE RAWLINGS.

RAWLINGS, IN HIS PRIME, WOULD HAVE GIVEN THE SC JUDGES A ONE-DAY ULTIMATUM TO COMPLETE THIS IMPORTANT NATIONAL ASSIGNMENT.

GHANA IS NOW OUT OF CONTROL, WITH EVERY GOON "CALLING THE SHOTS" AND DOING HIS OWN THING, SO NOTHING GETS DONE PROPERLY AND EXPEDITIOUSLY.

A DAY'S JOB WELL DONE IN PROGRESSIVE COUNTRIES TAKES THE TYPICAL GHANA MAN SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE, JUST TO CREATE THE FALSE IMPRESSION THAT HIS JOB IS THE MOST "DIFFICULT" JOB IN THE WORLD. NONSENSE!!!

WHAT THOSE CLUELESS SC "JUDGES" SHOULD REMEMBER IS THIS:

GOD CREATED THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE IN SIX DAYS, AND RESTED THE SEVENTH DAY.

WHAT NONSENSE IS THIS DELAY FOR?
Moses 12 years ago

The Policeman is the few honest ones among the many corrupt officers, and he tried to bring his fellow officers to be up and coming.
I would advise this Otcere Darko guy to hold back on commenting on everything, becasue some ...
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The Policeman is the few honest ones among the many corrupt officers, and he tried to bring his fellow officers to be up and coming.
I would advise this Otcere Darko guy to hold back on commenting on everything, becasue some of his comments and opinions are nauseating, to put it mildly. You are on par with the nonsense of Kwasi Pratt.
Kwame 12 years ago

Capitalism is a corrupt socioeconomic system which has also got a lot of parasites in it. Gabby Ochere Darko said that he was a criminal later turned a police informant in Britain. But Gabby Ochere Darko claim that it is a cr ...
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Capitalism is a corrupt socioeconomic system which has also got a lot of parasites in it. Gabby Ochere Darko said that he was a criminal later turned a police informant in Britain. But Gabby Ochere Darko claim that it is a crime when people in socialist countries informed the police on activities of criminals. Double standard approach to socioeconomic is also corruption.

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Re: Corruption Is Everywhere

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