Nana Bonsu, a political commentator, has issued a direct appeal to the incumbent government to intensify its efforts in prosecuting and incarcerating former officials who misappropriated state resources.
He highlighted that the current administration campaigned heavily on a platform of anti-corruption, promising to deal ruthlessly with all individuals suspected of stealing from the state.
According to Mr Bonsu, the prosecution of these “nation wreckers” has taken far too long, leading to a significant loss of patience among the Ghanaian public.
He opined that if the government intends to win the next election or leave behind a positive legacy, it bears the responsibility of ensuring that everyone implicated in suspected corrupt deals is held accountable.
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he noted that corruption is a “cancer” that has consistently deprived the country of essential development.
He further criticised the Public Accounts Committee sittings, stating that despite years of witnessing various financial crimes, the public has yet to see the perpetrators behind bars.
Regarding the lack of legal consequences, Mr Bonsu stated:”The level of stealing, misappropriation, and embezzlement by state officials has gone on for far too long. People are bold enough to steal because they know nothing will happen to them, but it is destroying the country. The disgusting aspect is the Public Accounts sittings, where nothing comes out of them. The political parties take advantage of these crimes and corruption cases and campaign heavily with them, but do nothing when they return to power.
The political parties accuse people of corruption, campaign on that, and make promises to arrest and prosecute; but when they assume office, they fail to deliver on these promises.”
Mr Bonsu acknowledged that it was only former President John Agyekum Kufuor who established fast-track courts and saw to it that prospects were prosecuted and jailed.
In contrast, he criticised President Akufo-Addo, accusing him of failing to fulfill his promises to punish corrupt officials after using alleged cases of corruption under the first term of President Mahama as a campaign tool.
Turning his attention to President Mahama, he lamented that the former leader utilised scandals such as the Sky Train project, the National Service Scheme “ghost names” saga, and the National Cathedral project to his political advantage. He noted that while in opposition, President Mahama mentioned specific names and promised to prosecute them.
However, he expressed frustration that after assuming office, the momentum stalled. Although the public witnessed individuals being invited for questioning or detained, many of these cases appear to have gone cold.
He pointed out that while the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice held press conferences to allege corruption involving figures such as the former boss of the National Signals Bureau and his wife, as well as the former head of the National Buffer Stock, the public is no longer receiving any updates on these proceedings.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana