A Political leader who never compromises on his principles is considered to be credible and can be trusted to lead his/her people to their envisioned destination. Political leaders must have well-defined principles and objectives. President Akufo Addo recently told Ghanaians that one of his core leadership principles is “he doesn’t respond to Presidential aspirants”. If a leader happens to compromise on his principles and beliefs based his own mischiefs, it only leads to confusion on the part of his credibility.
Former President John Mahama is being venerated by Ghanaians and has become a cynosure because of how he boldly adhered to his principles and beliefs in office, eschewed populism and always considered the nation’s interest above his personal or partisan interests. Today John Mahama he is deemed a hero by the people of Ghana including some who voted against his second term bid who in many ways try to emulate his behaviour and consider him as their role model.
President Akufo Addo and his team, have hurriedly arranged media encounter to react to John Mahama’s statement at the Trade Fair yesterday. Many Ghanaians including some supporters of the NPP are intrigued by the President’s decision to meet the press few hours after the former President’s statement. The President is also expected to use the occasion to defend the sea of scandals involving himself, his Vice, family members and appointees. Credible and well respected foreign newspapers and websites including BBC have published stories about corrupt deals by the President, his Vice and appointees but the President has been quiet on them. We know via these newspapers and websites that several top officials of this government and some family members of the President continue to acquire choice assets and building mansions in Ghana and abroad. President Akufo Addo, per what we’ve witnessed so far, is not against corruption, he is corruption and the instrument of corruption. The President should know that it is fraudulent to cover up graft and protect accused persons who occupy top positions in his administration.
While the President and his agents in the state institutions are harassing appointees of the former administration, the real looters in his government and his family members with corruption allegations against them are sitting pretty at ease enjoying undeserved presidential amnesty. Those perpetuating corruption under this administration whose names have been mentioned by some reputable local and international media platforms, are enjoying full presidential protection.
The President and the state’s investigative bodies will henceforth lack the moral right to prosecute members of the opposition or any Ghanaian accused of corruption should they fail to immediately prosecute the identified corrupt elements in this administration including Ayorkor, Klenam, Koomson, etc
These corrupt elements hiding inside the government of President Akufo Addo will remain a test case for the BNI, EOCO and other institutions as their invitation, arrest and prosecution or otherwise will determine whether or not the corruption fight rhetoric of the administration is genuine or a cheap political vibe to mesmerize Ghanaians.
Mr President has so far successfully swept away the following scandals
-Cash for Seat
– Sale of contaminated fuel
-The famous $2.25 billion bond deal
-The Ghc 800,000 website (single) installation
-The £350,000 mansion allegation
-The Kelni GVG deal
-The Asiamgate
-Ghana Maritime Authority Scandal
-Illegal export of Bauxite
We know that the allegation against the Vice President (Digital Addressing System Scandal) has been swept under the carpet. The illegal mining by some officials of state and party (NPP) executives despite the ban on small-scale mining remains a no-go area, The bribery allegation against the deputy chiefs of staff was nicely killed. Need we talk about the gargantuan corruption being perpetrated by some officials of the Central Bank of Ghana, and the massive corruption going on in the oil industry. Per the President’s demeanor happenings in the National Communication Authority, the Forestry Commission, Cylinder manufacturing, the oil and gas industries do not warrant investigation because of his alleged involvement.
President Akufo Addo, has crowded his government with his kinsmen and clansmen. Shockingly, people who falsely accused John Mahama of running a family and friends government do not see anything wrong with this unprecedented policy. The President has loaded both his kitchen cabinet and various juicy positions and ministries with his cousins and other family members. Nepotism is the worst form of corruption and the mother of all corruption. That was probably the reason behind the decision by framers touched on that.
President Akufo Addo, since his inauguration has not felt the need to hold himself and his administration accountable to genuine media scrutiny so why this hurriedly arranged media encounter. He has made no secret of his disdain for the media and gives carefully choreographed interviews only to pure pro Npp media platforms
Government has already extended invitations to some known pro Npp journalists and media houses to attend the programme and have been furnished with special directives and questions to enable the President clear his corrupt official, himself, and his Vice.