The National Democratic Congress Deputy Communications Officer, Malik Basintale has criticized President Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party administration over the allegation by Professor Stephen Adei that a road contract under the current government is awarded for one million dollars.
In a media interview on Wednesday, October 25 2023, the outspoken Deputy Communications Officer for the opposition National Democratic Congress fumed at President Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party for harbouring such conduct under its tenure.
He noted that Professor Adei’s comments only affirmed the many concerns that several Ghanaians have expressed about the high level of corruption under President Akufo-Addo and the NPP administration.
“First, it is very important to state who Professor Addai is; He is a statesman regardless of whatever his view may be. He served as the rector of Gimpa and an appointee of this government; He served on the Finance Advisory Board and as the Chairman of the Ghana Revenue Authority Board and I remember the day he was sworn into office, his standards were not left out, his integrity and morale and values were stated explicitly. So in all of this, we must appreciate that and know where he comes from.
“It is also important that we avert our mind to the point that whoever has resigned from this current administration has said similar things. From Martin Amidu to Professor Frimpong Boateng to Professor Addai and many other people have repeatedly stated concerns about corruption, arrogance of power, lack of vision and incompetence on the side of this administration.
Malik Basintale
NDC DNCO Bemoans Government Inability To Curb Corruption
Furthermore, Mr Malik Basintale stated that Professor Stephen Addai‘s comment also affirmed the fact that President Akufo-Addo lacks the political will to fight corruption in the country as President Akufo-Addo and close associates are mostly the beneficiaries of the many corrupt practices that have happened over the past seven years.
He noted that the numerous allegations of corruption against President Akufo-Addo have impugned the integrity and the reputation of the Presidency as President Akufo-Addo in most instances has failed to demonstrate his innocence in those allegations.
“It is also important we state the cases he cited of corruption practices and I feel sad that now and then there are traces of similar instances of corrupt discussion unravelled by people who leave this particular government. From investigation people to former appointees and what have you; if you remember when the Nyantakyi expose was brought forth to the public; Nyantakyi who was very close to President Akufo-Addo stated clearly on tape to the people he was cornered that bring two million or one million and we will get all the contracts in this country. ‘If we give President Akufo-Addo three million he will be in my pocket and all the road contracts will be awarded to us’.
“That was Nyantakyi’s remarks and to date no decision has been taken about this particular matter. Whatever Professor Adei said was exactly the case and the truth”.
Malik Basintale
According to the National Democratic Congress Deputy Communications Officer, the high rate and incident of corruption under President Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party administration threatens the survival of Ghana’s democracy.
He noted that the high rate of corruption under President Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic administration is affecting the survival and growth of many businesses in the country and the situation has worsened the unemployment rate in the country.
Mr Malik Basinatale thus called on all well-meaning Ghanaians to condemn the high rate and incident of corruption under President Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic administration to avert danger for the country.
“I am of the view that the country will suffer severely. If you listened to Professor Addai he stated that they have finished all the meat and they want to clear their bowls before they leave office. Remember when he resigned from the Finance Advisory Board he stated at the right time he would speak, little did we know that the man resigned simply because there was corruption choking and it was the same thing Martin Amidu said when he resigned”.
Malik Basintale
The Deputy Communications Officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress also indicated that the next government under the National Democratic Congress will ensure that all persons named in corruption-related cases under President Akufo-Addo are investigated and prosecuted.
Professor Stephen Adei, in a media interview decried of the high instances of corruption under the current government particularly in the award of road contracts, and even alleged that persons who seek road contracts are mostly required to pay 1 million upfront.
However, the Ministry of Road and Highways in a statement on October 23 2023 debunked the claims and indicated that due to the seriousness of the allegation, it has referred the allegations to the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) for investigations.
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