Former President John Mahama has called out his successor Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo for what he describes as lies when the latter was interviewed about the progress of his fight against corruption particularly with regards to allegations rendered against his appointees.
Speaking as a panelist, Thursday on “Championing Investments: Presidential Investment Chats” at the ongoing Africa Investment Forum, organized by the African Development Bank, in Johannesburg, South Africa, President Akufo-Addo stated that “For instance, if members of my administration are indulging in corrupt acts, any time an allegation is made, I have seen to it that it is investigated,” he explained.
The President continued, “so far, investigations have not yielded any evidence (of appointees indulging in corruption), but it is important that it is known that people of my administration will be subject to scrutiny if they go off schedule.”
But his predecessor, John Mahama at the NDC’s Delegates congress on Saturday averred that Nana Akufo-Addo’s government has done poorly in the fight against corruption compared to the former’s tenure.
He stated that “In the fight against corruption the NDC has better records. They are reluctant to pursue their own. All Ghanaians have received is lip service to the fight against corruption. The special prosecutor remains starved of funds, staff and equipment. Most appallingly, the president has become clearing house clearing his appointees of corruption”.
“…it was a very low day for Ghana when the President peddled a falsehood on a panel at the recent African Investment Forum that all allegations of corruption made against in his administration have been investigated and cleared by independent investigative bodies. That was a clear untruth”, he further added.
He also berated the President on his statement that he does respond to presidential aspirants who are seeking his response to shore up their popularity in their internal contest.
“Let me state here and now, for the record, that President Akufo-Addo will not respond to presidential aspirants. He will respond to Presidential candidates that have been duly elected by their parties”
Commenting on the president’s response, Mr. Mahama delivering his speech at the ongoing National Delegates Congress of the NDC reminded the president that the people of Ghana will ultimately demand accountability from him even if he decides not to respond to him and other NDC aspirants.
“Mr. President, let us remind you that NDC aspirants are also citizens and urged us to be citizens and not spectators. You can choose not listen or respond to us but eventually the people of Ghana will demand accountability from you”.
