Author: Victoria Nana Adwoa Kwofie
In a powerful engagement with the media, former President John Mahama vowed to take drastic steps to punish corrupt officials and their accomplices within the current administration.
Mahama’s commitment to fighting corruption forms a central pillar of his vision for Ghana’s future, underscoring his determination to restore integrity and trust in government operations.
“It can be ensured that drastic steps will be taken to punish the corrupt officials and their accomplices in this present administration,” Mahama asserted. “No action in this deputy corruption enterprise will be spared. A lot of the action will represent what has been a long time stolen from the Ghanaian people.” He stated.
Mahama highlighted the pervasive nature of corruption in government procurement processes, emphasizing that it is a significant source of economic drain and social inequity. “As we all know, government procurement is a significant source of corruption. And no economy can sustain an inclusive and equitable social and economic well-being with a penchant for public service holders to be self-serving and corrupt as is carried in the case.”
He laid out his plan to ensure the use of public finances is compliant with national laws, transparent, and justified by contemporary value-for-money standards, solely in the interest of the broader community. “The use of public finances will always be compliant with our national laws, transparent, justified by contemporary value for money there, and solely in the interest of the broader community.”
Mahama proposed several key measures to eliminate corruption and increase accountability in government procurement processes. One of his main initiatives would be the establishment of an independent value-for-money office to scrutinize all government procurements above a $5 million threshold, or as recommended at the time.
“God willing, as the incoming President and Leader, I assure the people of Ghana that the NDC is fully committed to accountability. And this is why one of our key policies would be to set up an independent value-for-money office to scrutinize all government procurement’s advanced $5 million threshold, or as shall be recommended at the time.” NDC flag bearer, John Dramani Mahama stressed.
Transparency and accountability, Mahama stressed, are the keys to fighting corruption. He pledged to lead a government of no more than 60 ministers and deputies to streamline operations and reduce opportunities for corrupt practices. “Transparency and accountability are the keys to fighting corruption. And we will fight corruption by creating an office that will dynamically scrutinize all government procurement coupled with a leading government of no more than 60 ministers and deputies.” He added.