Former Auditor-General, Daniel Yao Domelevo, has expressed skepticism regarding President Akufo-Addo’s sincerity when President Akufo-Addo acclaimed his government’s anti-corruption endeavors.
Domelevo indicated that he would find it astonishing if the president were candid about admitting any failures in the fight against corruption.
“In my candid opinion, I don’t think his assessment is correct,” he said on Joy News’ Upfront show on Wednesday.
During his address to lawyers at the Ghana Bar Association Conference in Cape Coast last month, President Akufo-Addo asserted that his administration has been at the forefront of the battle against corruption since Ghana’s independence.
He emphasized that his government has undertaken some of the most resolute actions against this problem, which, he argued, no previous government has dared to do.
President Akufo-Addo also affirmed that he has not provided protection to any of his appointees who have faced allegations of misconduct.
“I accept to speak here in order to take advantage to once again place my government’s record on corruption for public scrutiny.
Akufo-Addo was not sincere with Ghanaians in his self-assessment of fighting corruption – Domelevo
President Akufo-Addo at the Ghana Bar Association Conference in Cape Coast
“It will show that my government has taken arguably the boldest decision since Ghana attained independence nearly 66 years ago to reform and strengthen institutions to tackle corruption in the public sector.”
President Akufo-Addo also emphasized that his role does not involve pronouncing guilt or innocence for individuals accused of corruption.
“Charity they away begin at home and that is why so far any allegations levelled against any of my appointees have been investigated by independent bodies such as CHRAJ, the CID and in some cases by parliament itself.
“It is not my job to clear or convict any person accused of wrongdoing or engaging in acts of corruption. That is the job of the courts and the law enforcement agencies.”
He consequently reassured the public of his commitment to persist in combating corruption and to make it an unattractive prospect for anyone.
Nevertheless, former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo, who asserted that he harbors no ill will toward the President for compelling him into retirement, holds a different perspective. Mr Domelevo maintained that President Akufo-Addo has taken some commendable actions in support of the anti-corruption effort.
“For instance, he saw to the budgetary allocation but if you support the institutions to go and do the work but you don’t take any action on the findings, then there is a problem,” he said.
“Many times he even pre-empts the investigation…when Cecilia Dapaah’s case came up, nobody was finding her guilty or anything like that since investigations were yet to be done, but the tone of the letter from the President was something else.”
Mr. Domelevo noted that President Akufo-Addo expressing confidence in the resigned Minister would exert undue pressure on the institutions handling the matter.
“All the investigative machinery are under the president, and no matter how independent you are, you have some respect for the president.
“So if the first gentleman has expectations about establishing her integrity and is already taking sides and expecting that nothing should happen, then are you surprised if nothing happens?” he quizzed.
theindependentghana.com
