Solomon Owusu, a leading member of the Movement for Change (MfC), has criticized what he describes as an attempt by some members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to downplay the corruption allegations against Kwabena Abu-Boahene.
The former head of the National Signals Bureau (NSB) was accused of diverting millions of dollars into his personal accounts, sparking widespread debate about accountability and the rule of law in Ghana.
“We have been shown how money was taken from the account and you, as the Minority Leader who has not been sent to court, are there, saying that it’s populism. Instead of helping the Attorney General, if indeed it’s true, to go and retrieve these monies, you’re telling us that it’s populist”
Solomon Owusu, Movement for Change Lead Member
Mr. Owusu expressed concern over the response from the NPP Minority Leader, Afenyo Markins who has dismissed the issue as mere populism.
He questioned why the Minority Leader repeatedly suggested that he should also be arrested when no formal charges have been brought against him.
In furtherance of this, he challenged the notion that the NPP is above the law, emphasizing that individuals entrusted with public office should be held accountable for their actions, during and after they leave office.
Mr. Owusu warned against blind political loyalty, urging supporters to be mindful of their personal financial situations rather than rallying behind politicians accused of misappropriating funds.
Party Distance and Questions Over Influence
As discussions around Adu-Boahene’s case intensify, Owusu has noted that many within the NPP are now seeking to disassociate themselves from him.
However, he pointed out that the accused was not only a member of the party but also played a key role in shaping its security policies.
“He was part of those that wrote the security policy of the party for the 2024 campaign. He would have probably been the minister of security. We were saved by the bell.
“Can you imagine someone who was a member of the security manifesto committee of the NPP, and the NPP winning an election?”
Solomon Owusu, Movement for Change Lead Member
He suggested that had the party won the 2024 election, he could have been appointed as the head of the National Security.
While he clarified that his statements are not an assertion of guilt on the part of the accused, he underscored the seriousness of the allegations.
He insisted that since the Attorney General has gathered evidence, the case must proceed to court.
Mr. Owusu also welcomed the Attorney General’s approach to the national service fraud scandal, commending the recent briefings on corruption cases.
“I love these briefings. Let me give this government free pro bono advice.
“Immediately, they must establish a communication wing of the National Security. They must have communication wings of all the departments so that we are briefed periodically”
“That is the only way you carry the Ghanaian along other than that, the opposition will fill the public space with propaganda and it will be very difficult for you to defend yourself”
Solomon Owusu, Movement for Change Lead Member
He believes that such proactive communication from the security agencies would prevent the opposition from dominating the narrative and misleading the public as has mostly been the case in the past.
Public Service and the Wealth Gap
Reflecting on his own experience, Owusu lamented the growing perception that public office has become a fast track to wealth.
He shared his frustration over the stark difference between his financial standing and that of younger individuals who have accumulated vast assets through questionable means.
He recalled a personal experience where he faced disappointment at home because his financial situation did not reflect the status of someone in public service.
This, he attributed to his refusal to engage in corrupt practices, contrasting his situation with those who have allegedly amassed wealth through the misappropriation of state funds.
President Mahama’s Commitment to Accountability
Moreover, Hamza Sayibu, a member of the NDC communications team, reaffirmed President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to fighting corruption, arguing that he has a track record of prioritizing “national interest over party loyalty”.
He recalled that President Mahama was the first sitting president in Ghana’s Fourth Republic to subject his own appointees to the legal process, leading to their convictions.
“So if the same president John Dramani Mahama has reason to go after ex-appointees of the NPP, be rest assured”
Hamza Sayibu, NDC Communications Team Member
Sayibu argued that President Mahama’s commitment to accountability should be seen as a continuation of his commitment to justice rather than political witch-hunting.
He urged the public to trust the President’s intentions, emphasizing that Ghana’s judicial system is in dire need of reform.
“There’s enormous unacceptable rot in our judicial system, it needs cleaning, and we must all be ready to support a government that is committed to provide that avenue”
Hamza Sayibu, NDC Communications Team Member
He called on the NPP to support efforts to cleanse the judiciary of elements that undermine its integrity.
He believes that the survival of Ghana’s democracy depends on a credible judicial system, stressing that judicial reforms should be embraced by all political actors.
As corruption cases continue to dominate national discourse, Sayibu insisted that accountability should not be selective.
He urged all Ghanaians, regardless of political affiliation, to support efforts aimed at restoring public confidence in the judiciary and governance systems.
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