The presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has announced plans to establish a special Auditor-General Court to facilitate the recovery of embezzled and misappropriated funds flagged in the Auditor-General’s annual reports.

Speaking to NDC supporters and chiefs in the New Juaben North constituency in the Eastern Region on Wednesday, Mr. Mahama stated that the proposed court would collaborate with the Chief Justice’s office to ensure accountability and deter financial malfeasance.

He decried that between GHS13 billion and GHS15 billion cedis are wasted annually due to irregularities and corruption in the Auditor-General’s reports, which he described as unacceptable.

“Every year, in the Auditor-General’s report, 13 to 15 billion cedis are embezzled. If we had prevented this waste, we wouldn’t have gone to the IMF for a $3 million bailout because if you calculate the total losses in 3 years, we would have saved 60 billion cedis.

"Hence, there would have been no need to go to the IMF. If the NDC resumes power, we will appoint a Chief Justice to establish a court that is an Auditor-General’s Court to prosecute anyone indicted in the Auditor-General’s report for recovery,” Mahama said.

John Mahama criticized the Akufo-Addo administration for failing to act on corruption and various scandals, including PDS, calling the president a “clearing agent” who shields wrongdoers.

He vowed that his government would investigate and recover all looted state funds.

The former president reiterated his concerns about the controversial National Cathedral project, accusing the Akufo-Addo government of diverting $58 million of public funds into the project.

He promised to launch a thorough investigation into the financial dealings surrounding the cathedral to ensure accountability.

In a speech read on his behalf, the Chief of Effiduase, Okoawia Dwomo Baabu endorsed the NDC’s 24-hour Economy Policy, stating that it will help create job opportunities for the youth.

On his part, the parliamentary candidate of the NDC in New Juaben North, Samuel Adongo, announced that he has begun initiating three factories, including a bag-producing factory, which will operate under the 24-hour economy to create jobs for the youth.

He urged voters in the constituency to vote for him, accusing the NPP of taking them for granted for the past 30 years since voting for the NPP.