President Akufo-Addo’s recent move to extend the tenure of the curent Auditor-General, Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu by two years despite the expiration of his statutory retirement age has sparked significant public discontent and criticisms.
Critics argue that this decision contradicts the President’s earlier stance on the tenure of the former Auditor-General, Daniel Yao Domelovo, whom, the President asked to proceed on accumulated leave and later on retirement amidst controversy regarding his statutory retirement age.
Notable figures such as Vitus Azeem, a renowned anti-corruption crusader, and Franklin Cudjoe, Founding President of IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, have voiced their concerns, questioning the potential impact on the independence and effectiveness of the Auditor-General’s office.
Mr Azeem, particularly contended that the contract extension compromises the Auditor-General’s independence, creating a perception of political influence and eroding trust in the institution’s ability to conduct impartial audits.
Mr Vitus Azeem, while conceding that the constitution allows for extensions of certain officials, argued that the dubious circumstances surrounding this particular extension undermine the government’s credibility in upholding a genuinely independent and effective anti-corruption framework, raising legitimate concerns about its true commitment to combating corruption.
On the other hand, Franklin Cudjoe, founder, and president of IMANI Centre for Policy and Education also questioned President Akufo-Addo’s controversial decision to extend the tenure of Auditor-General Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, expressing concerns about the potential implications for the country’s anti-corruption efforts.
He indicated that he was not surprised, at the President’s decision, suggesting that it is consistent with President Akufo-Addo’s established pattern of behaviour, which prioritizes political loyalty over institutional independence and accountability.
Dr George Asekere, a Political Science Lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba, in an interview with Vautz News, provided critical insights into the potential implications of this move on the Auditor-General’s independence, perceived political influence, and the broader anti-corruption efforts in Ghana.
Impact on Auditor-General’s Independence
Dr Asekere began, stating that the extension of the Auditor-General’s tenure, irrespective of the underlying reasons, does not necessarily guarantee compliance with the appointing authority’s expectations.
He posited that if Mr Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu is a man of integrity committed to his professional duties, the extension could serve as an opportunity for him to demonstrate his professionalism and prove critics wrong.
“After all, you are 60, and you are playing extra time. And so if he’s minded, then it’s an opportunity for him to demonstrate that he’s a professional and perhaps to work to prove critics wrong that even under his tenure, the agency was rated or downgraded.
“It will also be an opportunity for him to work to, prove critics wrong that he was the President’s favourite who was brought in after, Mr Domelovo was booted out of office. If he can do that, then on the one hand, there will be nothing wrong with his extension as far as the performance of the job is concerned”.
Dr. George Asekere, Political Science Lecturer at the Department of Political Science Education, University of Education, Winneba
However, Dr. Asekere highlighted a significant concern regarding institutional autonomy and adherence to the rule of law.
He noted that the statutory retirement age of 60 is a legal mandate meant to ensure a regular infusion of new talent into the audit service.
The renowned political scientist asserted that the forced retirement of the former Auditor-General, Daniel Yao Domelovo, who was deemed competent, underscores the availability of qualified individuals within the service who can take over once the current Auditor-General reaches retirement age.
However, the extension of Mr Asiedu’s tenure, he posited raises questions about the President’s intentions and sends a message that could undermine the institutional norms governing public service.
“And even the extension is not by 1 year, 2 years. Yeah. 2 years’ time, President Akufo-Addo will not be President of Ghana. It will never happen. And so if another President comes, then decides to sack him, which will be appropriate, people will begin to talk, Oh, change of government, and people are being sacked.
“All these send bad signals out there about our democracy. But, of course, you and I know that President Akufo-Addo has over the years demonstrated that he doesn’t care a hoot about what people say. What matters to him is what serves his interest. And so, yes, ours is to talk, but he knows that he will do what he wants to do. Unfortunately, we don’t expect him to do anything better than this”.
Dr. George Asekere, Political Science Lecturer at the Department of Political Science Education, University of Education, Winneba
Perceived Political Influence
Highlighting the political implications of the extension of the current Auditor-General’s tenure, Dr Asekere pointed out that the public perception of favouritism is reinforced by the sequence of events leading up to Mr Asiedu’s appointment and subsequent extension.
He strongly stated that the extension of Mr Asiedu’s tenure despite his statutory retirement age feeds into the narrative that President Akufo-Addo is leveraging his authority to consolidate control over key institutions, irrespective of public opinion or democratic principles.
Impact on Anti-Corruption Efforts
Furthermore, Dr Asekere warned that this move could have detrimental effects on Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts, adding that the series of events, from the dismissal of Mr Domelovo to the extension of Mr Asiedu’s tenure, suggests the government’s lack of commitment to combating corruption.
This perception according to him is likely to erode public trust and confirm suspicions that the government is more focused on rhetoric than genuine anti-corruption measures.
“And so it is only coming to confirm what, I mean, the public perception in and around the world that as for Ghana, you can have your say. They would talk, but they’d do the opposite. So it’s a very negative situation that we find ourselves. Bad for all of us”.
Dr. George Asekere, Political Science Lecturer at the Department of Political Science Education, University of Education, Winneba
He emphasized the integrity of the Auditor-General’s office is crucial for maintaining an effective anti-corruption framework, and any actions that compromise this integrity can have far-reaching consequences for the country’s democratic health.
When asked about potential steps to address these concerns, Dr Asekere expressed a rather pessimistic view, asserting that the President’s authority is final and that public outcry, media criticism, or civil society protests are unlikely to bring about any immediate positive change.
According to him, the only hope lies in the electoral process, with the expectation that a new President might approach governance differently and rectify such issues.
Call for Constitutional Reforms
In a fervent call for reforms, Dr Asekere firmly stated that the root cause of these challenges lies within the constitution itself, adding that the current constitution grants excessive power to the President, creating numerous loopholes that are mostly exploited for personal or political gain.
He advocated for a comprehensive review of the country’s Constitution to eliminate ambiguities and drastically reduce presidential powers.
“Make sure that all terms are clearly defined without ambiguity and to ensure that the powers of the president are reduced drastically. Because if you have a wicked president, the effect, we will all feel it. And I’m sure from 1992 till now, Ghanaians are the best judges to tell which of the leaders has been faithful to Ghanaians and which of them have been very wicked to us using the same constitution.
“And so if you talk about this and you listen to government officials, they will tell you that there’s nothing unconstitutional about it. And they’ll get some laws to back the President’s decision. But we all know that it’s not the best way”.
Dr. George Asekere, Political Science Lecturer at the Department of Political Science Education, University of Education, Winneba
Such reforms, he noted are essential to prevent any future abuse of power and ensure that the governance framework prioritizes national interest over individual ambitions.
In conclusion, Dr. George Asekere’s analysis underscores the urgent need for constitutional reforms in Ghana.
By addressing the structural issues within the constitution, Ghana can safeguard the independence of critical institutions like the Auditor-General’s office and bolster its efforts in the fight against corruption.
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