Okyehene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin has called for punitive measures to be taken against public officials and individuals who engage in corruptible acts.
He made this call at an empowerment and Leadership lecture organized by the University of Ghana Chapter of the Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG-UG) held on Wednesday July 3rd, 2024, themed Transformational Leadership in Contemporary Ghana.
The Okyehene stressed that wherever corruption thrives, non-prosperity and poverty are rampant, stifling socio-economic progress in the nation.
“It is abhorrent that some public officials in Africa could go into the coffers and take monies. This money will take a flight to the same people who once colonized the people.”
“Corruption is a filthy work and a disgusting shame, a despicable act of treachery that is done under the table behind closed doors and keeps a nation such as ours back from development and progress while investors stay away. I think that corruption has left the realm of criminality to evil; it is evil, and it must be punished. Where corruption thrives, poverty and non-prosperity thrive.”
The Okyenhene also raised concerns about Ghana’s reliance on foreign borrowing, which he likened to economic slavery.
“When you continue to make borrowing a habit, then you become an economic slave. Economic slaves do not own property, and often are made to settle for less as they do not think they deserve more. Some economists say when your outgo exceeds your income, your upkeep will be downfall. That quote is true for an individual, communities and for a nation. When your outgo exceeds your income that is when we get to a point you consistently borrow money.”
“And I do not blame the government for looking to get money somewhere, but once you go for that money, you lose your right to bargain,” he said, citing Proverbs 22:7 in the Bible, “…the rich rules over the poor and the borrower is a slave to the lender.”
He further appealed to the government and relevant stakeholders to exercise fiscal responsibility and implement prudent financial management strategies to stimulate economic growth and achieve financial independence.
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Story by: Michelle Lartey | univers.ug.edu.gh
