President Akufo-Addo
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has revealed that two of his appointees are currently under investigation for alleged acts of corruption.
Failing to mention the two appointees, the said investigations are underway, adding that action will be taken against them if they are found guilty.
The President made this disclosure when he addressed members of the diplomatic corps at Peduase Lodge on Tuesday night.
“Indeed, two appointees of the executive are still facing investigation,” he said.
According to the President, his fight against corruption is on course, as every allegation of corruption against his appointees has been investigated by independent bodies like the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and Parliament.
No pressure
The President further stressed that government can confirm that none of the investigative bodies has accused it of pressure or interfering in its work, stating that due process will be scrupulously followed in all cases.
He urged the diplomats to share with his office any matter of alleged corruption against his appointees for an action to be taken, saying this will be better for the relations between Ghana and their respective countries than unspecified pronouncements.
“Should you, members of the diplomatic corps, be notified of any evidence of corruption against any of my appointees, I insist that they [should] be shared with my office to enable action to be taken on the matter,” the President said.
He said, as at now, 21 officials of the past administration are standing trail for their alleged involvement in corruption or causing financial loss to the state.
President Akufo-Addo said the prosecution of persons responsible for the banking sector crisis has commenced.
Political will
“I will like to stress that despite self-serving allegations based on deliberate misinformation, the action government took to bring the PDS concession agreement, under the Millennium Cooperation Contract, to an end was to prevent rather than condone wrong doing,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo admitted that even though the war against corruption will not be won overnight, it can, nonetheless, be defeated by political will.
“I did not come into politics to enrich myself, but to serve the public interest. I am determined to help build in Ghana a model and culture of transparent, open and accountable governance that will be the equal of any on the face of the planet.
“In so doing, as you yourselves can testify, Ghana has a free press and Ghanaians are at liberty to speak on any issue they wish,” he said.
Foreign Minister
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, in her welcome address, noted that 2019 was a fruitful one for her office and the Ministry as far as the working relationship with the diplomatic community is concerned.
She pledged the Foreign Ministry’s commitment to doing everything within its power to assist the diplomatic community in Ghana as they go about their duties.
Source: Daily Statesman
