Is it not astonishing that president Mahama is dead silent about the Waterville and Isofoton exposé by the Supreme Court, but is everywhere talking about his challenged electoral victory in the 2012 elections? As the president of the country, we expect him to pay a very serious attention to matters that concern us all, and not his personal interests. We would like to see president Mahama doing more to fight vices that seek to compromise the prospects of the country, instead of acting in ways that are clearly contemptuous and prejudicial to the ongoing electoral challenge at the Supreme Court.

He might have won the elections by divine intervention as he alleges, but what is important is that Ghanaians are interested in a leadership that works to solve the innumerable problems facing us. For me, it is difficult to even accept the divine intervention theory simply because I am wondering if God will endorse corruption that has been a pastime in the NDC administration. I leave that to our eminent Justices who I believe will be professional and fair in their determination of the real winner of the presidential ballot to decide.

Corruption, a societal evil, and an enemy of progress has been the bane of most countries, especially developing ones. It is estimated that African countries lose a whopping $148 billion in corruption annually. This incredible figure represents about 25% of Africa’s gross domestic product. This information was disclosed by Mrs. Patricia Alsup—deputy Chief of Mission at the United States embassy during a five-day West Africa Regional Anti-Corruption workshop hosted by the United States government in Accra in March this year.

Yet, leaders on the continent do not have the political will to curb this societal menace. In Africa, corruption appears to be free-for-all; most of the citizenry do not care about the implications of their corrupt practices on the stability of the economy as long as they benefit from it. If our leaders do not have anything to do whilst in government, I suggest to them to do only the work of reducing corruption and Africa will thrive and succeed in transforming the lives of its citizens.

Fighting corruption should not only be limited to the institution of measures to pluck the holes that make corruption possible, but more importantly dealing ruthlessly and mercilessly against persons who engage in it. If we can successfully deal with corruption in the country, institutions that have been mandated to deal with corruption have to enforce the laws without fear or favour. If we do not begin to crack the whip by prosecuting and confiscating the assets of corrupt individuals in our society, all other interventions will be like chasing shadows.

But for corruption, African countries will never be beggars, trotting from one nation to the other asking for alms. As Africans, we have lost dignity and respect in the world because of the abject poverty within our borders. In fact, our poverty is self-inflicted due to failed leadership, and their lackadaisical attitude towards the plucking of the loopholes that make corruption an enjoyable venture in our institutions. We need to do more as a people to tackle the issue of corruption in the country. Rhetoric and corruption interventions alone cannot reduce this canker without a conscious enforcement of those interventions by the appropriate institutions with the mandate to check it.

Honestly, my heart bleeds anytime I think about the deafening silence of president Mahama after the landmark rulings delivered by the Supreme Court a fortnight ago in which our hither to stolen cash is likely to be retrieved and put back into the consolidated fund. The president’s deafening silence is suggestive of his indifference towards the issue of corruption that has denied the country of economic development over the years. When the actions and inactions of government officials are suggestive of their complicity in dubious and shady deals, he should act swiftly in relieving them of their portfolio, and deliver them for justice. A president who cares about their citizenry and the protection of the scarce resources of the country, would have instituted investigations into the conduct of persons that have cost us this much cash. Or, is it because individuals in his government and political party stand accused?

Folks, for me, the silence of president Mahama over both the Waterville and the Isofoton cases is embarrassing, and portrays him as not caring about the plight of the majority of the citizenry who have been bearing the brunt of corruption in officialdom over the years. Mr. President, are you not worried about the unprecedented corruption gaining currency in your government? Do something now before the resources of the nation are depleted via corruption and mismanagement under your watch. We have discovered an additional natural resource—Black gold, but still wallowing in abject poverty.

If our president would want to see an improvement in the living conditions of the citizenry, then he should be seen aggressively combating this white-collar crime. President Mahama, at the moment, the development of this nation lies in your hand; and you do not have to fail. Please, crack the whip and bring the enemies of Ghana—in your government and political party, as well as those in other public institutions to justice. Mr. President, the poor folks in this country have suffered for a long time and need a break; they deserve better. Rise to the challenge and nib corruption in the bud. The corruption in your government is begging for attention. Act quickly, sir. God bless Ghana!!

Source: Kingsley Nyarko, Psychologist, Accra (kingsleynyarko73@yahoo.com)