Dr. J. K. Kwakye, a distinguished economist and the Director of Research at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), has emphasized the crucial role of transparency and digitization as potent weapons against corruption.

Dr. Kwakye reacting to Dr. Bawumia’s assertion that transparency is a powerful tool against corruption during his address delivered on Wednesday, February 7 2024 to announce his candidature for the 2024 general elections, highlighted the importance of digitization in removing the ‘person-to-person interface’ in economic and financial transactions.

According to Dr. Kwakye, leveraging digitization can be instrumental in preventing corruption in the country.

Dr. Kwakye further proposed a multi-faceted approach, including the adoption of the US Inspector General (IG) system and reinforcing key accountability institutions to address corruption in the country.

According to the revered academic and researcher, for Ghana to win the fight against corruption, it must adopt the ‘US Inspector General (IG)’ system where independent Inspectors General would be embedded in every Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDA) in the country to report directly to Parliament.

He argued that the various Inspector General’s would monitor all financial transactions within their respective Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to serve as a proactive measure to prevent corruption in the country.

Furthermore, the Director of Research at the Institute of Economic Affairs, Dr. Kwakye strongly advocated for the government to resource existing accountability institutions such as the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), and National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) towards the fight against corruption.

He noted that if such institutions are given the required and adequate resources and support, they would be equipped to effectively carry out their mandates of investigating and prosecuting issues relating to corruption and misappropriation of the public funds in the country.

Dr. Kwakye also indicated that if such institutions are given the required and adequate resources to operate effectively and efficiently, they would serve as robust deterrent to potential wrongdoers in the country, which can ultimately minimize corruption in the public service.

Dr Kwakye Urges Political Leaders To Lead by Example

Moreover, Dr. J. K. Kwakye, a former staff of Bank of Ghana and the International Monetary Fund asserted that the surest way to combat corruption is to start from the top and passionately called on the need for the President of the country to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to integrity.

He emphasized that the President should exhibit a strong stance against corruption and ensure that all government officials particularly his appointees follow suit.

According to Dr. Kwakye, such mark of leadership will set a precedent that cascades down to the citizens, fostering a culture of anti-corruption at all levels of society.

In addition, Dr. Kwakye commended the New Patriotic Party flagbearer’s promise to undertake amendments to address some lapses in the 1992 Constitution, particularly the need for amendments in respect of presidential powers and ex-gratia.

He noted that given the broad public dissatisfaction with many provisions, including presidential powers, Article 71 emoluments, the existence of the Council of State, dual parliamentary and ministerial roles, appointment of MMDCEs, long-term national development plan, Dr Bawumia’s proposal to undertake such reforms when elected as President of the country is in the right direction.

Dr Kwakye reacting to Dr. Bawumia’s proposal for a consensus National Development Plan (NDP) with ‘broad contours’, strongly asserted that Political Parties Manifestos must aligned with the National Development Plan.

The Research Director at the Institute of Economic Affairs posited that the calls by the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for the country to develop a consensus National Development Plan towards addressing the developmental needs of the country is very appropriate.

He noted that with a lack of consensus building in the development of the National Development Plan, party manifestos have become the order of the day where such manifestos have been characterised by ‘lofty’, ‘populist’ programmes that are only meant to win votes rather than having any practical or national significance.

According to him, the practice has also led to a situation where many projects are left unfinished midstream and often discontinued by successive governments, which has negatively impacted the country’s national development.

Dr Kwakye therefore recommended that the National Development Planning Commission should be strengthened, resourced and reconstituted with the composition of independent professionals to draw up a National Development Plan with broad policy objectives, targets and strategies.

In this respect, Dr Kwakye also advocated that the National Development Plan should be updated every four years to reflect emerging economic, social, environmental and spatial circumstances and should be made binding on all governments.

He also stressed that government should be made to submit periodic reports to Parliament on the implementation of the National Development Plan in the course of every government’s term.