Prof Emmanuel Gyimah-Boadi, Executive Director of Afrobarometer has discredited President Akufo-Addo’s commitment to fighting corruption. He also described the President’s credibility to be in “tatters”, for instance.
His comments follow the forced retirement of former Auditor- General, Daniel Yao Domelevo.
According to him, developments surrounding Mr. Domelevo only reveals the President’s lack of credibility in fighting corruption.
“As for the President’s credibility in terms of anti-corruption, I am afraid to say, it is in tatters. It has been in tatters for a while but this puts a nail in the coffin. I see Domelevo as a victim of well-orchestrated actions by individuals who are [government] officials and by state institutions”.
“Mr. Domelevo was exercising proper constitutional and legal oversight and officials and institutions that Mr. Domelevo has sought to hold to account. The man was doing his best to protect the public purse to claim surcharges for improperly spent public funds. One who is trying to fight corruption is one who is being persecuted and hounded out of office”.
Mr. Gyimah-Boadi
He believes Mr. Domelevo was forced out of office because Ghana has a presidency that is experiencing “difficulty working with [heads of] institutions”.
CSOs express disappointment on forced leave
Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Against Corruption has taken on President Akufo-Addo over Domelevo’s forced retirement. The CSOs say the action is an affront to good governance and the fight against corruption.
The Director of Advocacy and Policy Engagement for Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD Ghana), Dr Kojo Asante, lauded Mr. Domelevo for discharging the responsibilities of his office with exceptional dedication.
Dr Asante also said the legal regulatory framework for asset declaration of public officers still requires significant reform. Mr. Domelevo deserves commendation for this initiative.
Domelevo speaks on forced leave
Former Auditor General, Daniel Yao Domelevo revealed that President Nana Akufo-Addo was part of the people who encouraged him to take up the appointment as Auditor General.
Speaking at an event to celebrate his retirement, Domelevo expressed appreciation to President Akufo-Addo for encouraging him to take the job.
Recounting his experience, he noted that President Akufo-Addo called him and encouraged him to “go and take the job”.
“I also will like to thank the President, Nana Akufo-Addo for working with me. In fact, in 2016 when I was appointed and I was confused, as to whether I should accept or reject [it], a call came through from Dr. Matthew Opoku Premeph and after greeting him, he said hold on for the [then] President-elect, so Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo encouraged me, he said ‘go and take the job.’ That is why I am very grateful to him.
“I thank him [Mahama] for the opportunity to serve my motherland”.
Daniel Domelevo
Similarly, Mr. Domelevo spoke fondly about the group of anti-corruption CSOs who supported him while in office.
“I must say thank you to the anti-corruption CSOs or institutions fighting corruption [in Ghana]. I am very grateful. If you fight corruption alone, you won’t last. Corruption is one dangerous enemy you can’t fight alone, and you can’t fight quietly. If you fight corruption quietly you will be finished in a minute”.
Move By President on Domelevo Damaging To Corruption Fight- CSOs
