Freddie Blay
Former National Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay, has said the Akufo-Addo government has put in more effort than any other government to fight corruption.
According to him, the government has been fighting corruption, which he said is a global phenomenon, at all fronts with the strengthening of institutions, policies and empowerment of law enforcement agencies.
“Corruption is not just typical to Ghana, I believe it’s all over the world and more so, we the developing countries,” he said.
Mr. Blay told an Accra-based television station, TV3, on Sunday that President Akufo-Addo has worked harder to combat corruption and commended him for the efforts.
“The government of Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo, so far as I am concerned, has put in more efforts under the third and fourth republics, to fight corruption than any other government that I can think of,” he stated.
Mr. Blay recognised that, while Ghana, like many other countries, grapples with corruption, the current government is determined to eradicate it.
He emphasised the role of anti-corruption institutions, such as the Office of the Special Prosecutor, and the judiciary in the battle against corruption.
“I am being sincere. How do you fight corruption? It’s not vowing to be a saint as an individual, and therefore, let people follow your examples.
“It is important for you as an individual, to set a good example, but the kind of institutions you put in place, the kind of policies you put in place. The policies, with emphasis, will fight corruption for you. Digitalisation is one of them.
“The police have been empowered, the judiciary have been empowered to the extent that they give them everything that they need,” he stressed.
The former NPP Chairman refuted assertions made by former Electoral Commission Chairman, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan that corruption had exacerbated Ghana’s poverty situation.
Dr. Afari-Gyan said at a Constitution Day lecture in Accra on Monday, January 8, that, “over the years, we have become poorer as a nation and as a people, mainly due to pervasive corruption, particularly in the public sector.”
However, Mr. Blay said, “That’s what Afari-Gyan has said. Corruption is a canker that we must all fight, but I disagree with him that we have become poorer.”
“This country has not gone poorer,” he stated, adding that while Ghana is not as wealthy as Singapore or South Korea, “we are definitely not poorer.”
The former NPP Chairman noted that Ghana is making headway toward middle-income status.
“We are not rich; we are inching towards a middle income country among the comity of nations. So, in the first place he is wrong that this country has become poorer,” he insisted.
“I agree that poverty is not a good thing for every country. That is what I believe governance is all about: to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of the people. We can do better, I believe,” Mr. Blay added.
By Ernest Kofi Adu