Daniel Yao Domelevo, former Auditor General, has criticized the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) under President Akufo-Addo for presiding over alarming levels of corruption.
He claimed that the country is experiencing widespread hardship, and many citizens are facing significant difficulties in their daily lives.
He also noted that funds are being disbursed for projects that have yet to begin or are still in the planning stages.
“Look, everywhere you will see corruption. You don’t need to look far. Look at the lifestyle of people in government. Some have worked for government and toiled all their years, but even getting a square meal a day is a challenge for them”.
“All that we hear is that about 2 million dollars thereabout has been paid to a South African company, which is to give us a sky train, which never happened. All that you hear is that Ghana has dug the most expensive hole in human history. So the evidence is there. This is not rhetoric. This is not perception”.
Daniel Yao Domelevo
Mr. Domelevo expressed concerns that corruption has become a pressing issue under the present government.
He stated that corruption has become a significant concern, frustrating both citizens and government officials, stressing that the government recognizes that it has reached a dangerously high level.
“Successive governments seem to be running a marathon or race in corruption, and what is here is that almost every government takes it to the higher level, but the level to which it is now is terrible.”
Daniel Yao Domelevo
Domelevo emphasized that the current level of corruption is unsustainable and urgent action is necessary, regardless of the government’s remaining tenure, stressing that immediate measures must be taken to address this issue.
He emphasized that the government must hold corrupt officials accountable by prosecuting them, rather than simply telling citizens that there is no evidence of corruption allegations leveled against officials and failing to take action against those responsible.
Domelevo Urges President To Restore Public Trust
Daniel Yao Domelevo has urged President Akufo-Addo to take bold action to restore public trust in the government and prevent a widespread outcry similar to the one seen in Kenya.
The former Auditor General warns that Ghana’s government must learn from the violent protests in Kenya, triggered by its finance bill, and take steps to prevent a similar crisis.
“If only President William Ruto would have been minded last year or even early this year to do the things that he’s doing today, I think he would have been a hero. But now, even if he cuts his throat for them, people will not appreciate it. It is too late”.
“The question we want to ask is the other African leaders including our own President [Akufo-Addo], has he taken a note from it? It would have been so heartwarming for us to hear from the President. [If I were the President], given the heat in the country and what I have heard from somewhere, I will reduce my cabinet or ministers to 40”.
Daniel Yao Domelevo
He emphasized that if the President takes these steps, it will help to alleviate tensions and show that it’s never too late to make things right.
Meanwhile, the Opposition NDC has called for a nationwide reflection on the fight against corruption, urging a collective examination of efforts to combat this issue.
NDC General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey, has stated that corruption in Ghana permeates beyond the political elite, suggesting that it is a pervasive issue that affects all levels of society.
“If we have a society that is fundamentally premised on not respecting the character of people or the impact of people, then that society is premised on what you have in your pockets. That is a society that can never simply overcome corruption”.
Fifi Kwetey
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