When President Akufo-Addo gave himself high ratings for his government’s efforts in combating corruption, former Auditor-General Daniel Yao Domelevo claims he was not being genuine with Ghanaians.
He claimed he would be shocked if the President admitted openly that his efforts to combat corruption had failed.
On Wednesday, he admitted to Raymond Acquah, the anchor of Joy News’ Upfront show, that he didn’t think his evaluation was accurate.
Akufo-Addo fights corruption with vigour.
Speaking to attorneys at the Ghana Bar Association Conference in Cape Coast last month, President Akufo-Addo said that since Ghana’s independence, his government had engaged in the most vigorous campaign against corruption.
He said that his administration had adopted the most daring measures to combat the threat, an effort he swore that no other government had ever attempted.
According to President Akufo-Addo, he has not defended any of his officials who have been accused of corruption.
“I agreed to speak here in order to use this opportunity to once more bring public attention to my government’s track record with corruption.
It will demonstrate that my government has made possibly the most audacious move to reform and strengthen institutions to combat corruption in the public sector since Ghana gained independence nearly 66 years ago.
It is not the President Akufo-Addo’s responsibility to find somebody guilty or innocent of corruption, he continued.
“They say that charity starts at home, therefore to date, any claims made against any of my appointees have been looked at by independent organisations like CHRAJ, the CID, and in certain cases, parliament itself.
“It is not my responsibility to exonerate or convict somebody who has been charged with misbehaviour or corrupt activity. The judiciary and law enforcement are responsible for that.
Thus, he gave the populace his word that he would keep up the fight against the threat and ensure that it was rendered unappealing for everyone.
Avoid acting as a ‘clearing agent‘
Former Auditor General Daniel Domelevo disagrees, claiming that he has nothing against the President for requiring him to retire.
He claimed that President Akufo-Addo has taken some good steps in favour of the conflict.
He explained that while he took care of the monetary allocation, “there is a problem if you support the institutions to go and do the work but you don’t take any action on the findings.”
In the COVID-19 finances issue involving Malawi, the President sacked 14 persons, including senior officials, according to Mr. Domelevo’s example.
He claimed that the least the presidency could do in situations of corruption is to step aside and let the relevant institutions carry out their duties.
“He even starts the investigation many times…Since there were still open questions in Cecilia Dapaah’s case, no one was declaring her guilty or anything of the sort, but the tone of the president’s letter suggested otherwise.
No matter how independent you are, you must show some deference to the president because the president controls the entire investigative apparatus.
Are you shocked if nothing occurs if the first gentleman has expectations about proving her honesty, is already picking sides, and has these expectations? He questioned.
