Flagbearer of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has asked President Akufo-Addo to quit the habit of shielding his corrupt appointees implicated in alleged scandals.

In a press statement to mark the International Anti-Corruption Day, former president Mahama intimated that if Ghana is to win the fight against corruption, then Akufo-Addo government must stop making excuses as a coverup for the increasing cases of corruption.

“President Akufo-Addo’s practice of “clearing” corrupt appointees and hampering investigations must stop.”

He added:”the anti-corruption fight will become a major instrument for the achievement of the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

His comment comes on the heels of recent findings in Afrobarometer report.

The Afrobarometer team in Ghana, led by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) reported that more than half of Ghanaians say the level of corruption in the country has increased and government is doing a poor job in fighting it.

Approval ratings for the government’s anti-corruption efforts have declined sharply, adding that GHC 9.6 billion has been lost from the public purse as a result of corrupt practices in the country since 2017.

Below is the full statement by Mahama

On the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day, let us make a determined commitment to take action, lead the change and be the change in our country’s fight against corruption and nepotism.

Fighting corruption requires genuine and collective efforts, particularly from political leaders. As we have demonstrated in the past, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will make no excuses in this fight.

Sadly, recent surveys are confirming that we are losing the fight against corruption. This is a worry to majority of Ghanaians.

We shall protect the rights of our people to expose corruption and undertake to investigate credible allegations that come to our attention.

No journalist will be killed, live in fear or flee the country because of their investigative reporting.

We will strengthen and make the anti-corruption agencies work without fear or favour.

If we are to win the fight against corruption, government must stop making excuses as a coverup for the increasing cases of corruption. President Akufo-Addo’s practice of “clearing” corrupt appointees and hampering investigations must stop.

As we work together towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the anti-corruption fight will become a major instrument for the achievement of our objectives.

Let us take a decisive stand against corruption and nepotism.

I invite all Ghanaians to stand #unitedagainstcorruption.
#JohnMahama