Political Scientist at the University of Ghana, Professor Ransford Gyampo, has indicated that the President, upon receiving the report of KMPG concerning the Strategic Mobilization Ghana Limited (SML) alleged corrupt deal, should have informed the public that the report was submitted to his office.
He insisted that the President must reveal the content of the report to Ghanaians, arguing that the President’s excuse that his office is still analyzing the report is not substantive as KPMG could have summarized in simple terms what the entire report entails.
“If there is corruption in the deal, if the deal stinks, we have the right to know. Let us know, who caused it, what the nature of the deal is, and who is benefitting from this. We have to know… The Right to Information Law was assented to by President Akufo-Addo and so we have to know”
Professor Ransford Gyampo
Furthermore, the Political Scientist indicated that the President’s decision to disclose information about the SML deal to the public will determine his credibility in the fight against corruption in Ghana.
He emphasized that the President’s handling of the situation will either help him establish himself as an effective fighter against corruption or reveal him as someone who failed to fight corruption.
Moreover, he insisted that should the President decide not to heed the request of Ghanaians as he had done for the past seven years, Parliament should begin to take steps to legislate against Presidential ‘Dead Goatism’ to prevent similar situations in the future.
“Presidential Dead Goatism, the practice of exiting Presidents thinking that because I am going, I do not care whatever you do”. Prof Gyampo said.
He argued that the mandate of the President has been given to him by the citizens, and as such citizens should begin to take steps that prevent Presidents from taking advantage of their mandates, especially at the end of their eight-year tenure.
“When a President has served his term and has about six months to exit power, how should he conduct himself? Should we all look on even if he mortgages our interest for something else we don’t want? Should we all just keep quiet and allow him to go on that tangent?”
Professor Ransford Gyampo
Effect On NPP’s Campaign
Accordingly, Prof Ransford Gyampo opined that the President’s present behavior will make it difficult for his party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to retain power, arguing that the President’s actions will negatively affect the party’s campaign.
“I am arguing that if there are courageous people within the NPP, then they must begin to put in place mechanisms and interventions that will rescue their party from the claws of the exiting President so that they can know what to do to break the eight. But if they want to sheepishly keep quiet… then they will be laughing at the wrong side of their mouth in December 2024”.
Professor Ransford Gyampo
He indicated that the NPP’s situation is direr because of the undeniable presence, Alan Kyeremanten, a former NPP member, has begun to command in the political sphere. He opined that Mr. Kyeremanten is making giant strides in his campaign and will be a force to be reckoned with in the December polls.
Prof Gyampo pointed out that for the President to prevent his party from bearing the brunt of his actions he (the President) must ensure accountability, transparency, and effective response to governance by disclosing the content of the report compiled by KPMG on SML.
Conclusively, he indicated that the media has failed in its mandate to provide Ghanaians with essential information on matters of national concern.
He argued that the media’s aim should not be being the first to break news, rather, it should be more focused on making follow-ups on issues of national interest, such as the SML case, to make the government accountable and keep the public informed.
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