John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, has reaffirmed his commitment to tackling corruption head-on in his next government. Speaking at his Governance Forum in Accra on October 31, Mahama pledged to investigate and prosecute corrupt officials, leveraging the expertise of both local and foreign investigators.
Mr. Mahama’s plan to root out corruption includes legislation that prohibits political appointees from purchasing state assets, ensuring transparency and accountability. This legislation will be closely linked to Operation Recover All the Loot (ORAL), which aims to investigate and prosecute persons involved in corruption.
Additionally, Mahama vows to establish a state assets registrar to efficiently handle corruption-related cases. This move is designed to address the detrimental phenomenon of state capture, where public officials exploit their positions for personal gain.
Mahama’s commitment to fighting corruption comes amidst growing concerns about corruption in Ghana, which has stagnated in its anti-corruption efforts over the past four years, ranking 70th out of 180 countries and territories in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2023.
His proposed measures aim to restore transparency and accountability in government and demonstrate his resolve to tackle this pervasive issue. By implementing these measures, Mahama hopes to make corruption a high-risk endeavor and promote good governance in Ghana.
CNR/Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
