President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has defended his government’s record on corruption, highlighting his administration’s accomplishments compared to the previous NDC government.
Speaking at annual general conference of the Ghana Bar Association held in Kumasi on September 9, he presented budgetary comparisons between 2016 and 2023, asserting that despite clear evidence of progress, there is a politically motivated effort to label his government, family and himself as corrupt.
He dismissed the accusations as baseless, suggesting they are retaliatory moves from the Mahama administration following corruption claims that resulted in the conviction of some of Mahama’s associates.
“I’m aware that there’s a deliberate, politically motivated effort to signalize my government, my family, and myself as corrupt. I suspect this is payback for the damaging allegations of corruption leveled against members of the Mahama administration, some of which have led to criminal convictions, while others are still being prosecuted in court.”
“Despite the scrutiny by credible public institutions of virtually all these allegations of misconduct on the part of my government, my family, and myself, which have been found to be baseless, the leader of the opposition, the perennial NDC presidential candidate, continues to describe me as a ‘clearing agent’.”
The President reiterated his dedication to maintaining due process in the fight against corruption, emphasizing that he would never deviate from this principle, despite accusations from political opponents labeling him as a ‘clearing agent.’
He added that it is ultimately for the Ghanaian public to determine whether being branded a ‘clearing agent’ or ‘Government Official One’ carries greater significance.
“It is important that I reiterate that I will not abandon under any circumstance the recourse to due process in the fight against corruption. Be that as it may, in any event, I will leave it to the judgment of the Ghanaian public and people to decide whether it is preferable to be a ‘clearing agent’ or ‘government official one.’’
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Story by: Joycelyn Glory | universnews.ug.edu.gh