The 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has promised to establish in his government an Office of Special Prosecutor to deal with the wanton corruption cases that has bedeviled the country.
The office, he further promised, shall be established within the first six months of his administration when given the mandate to govern the country.
According to Nana Akufo-Addo, the Special Prosecutor, to be established by an Act of Parliament, will be independent of the Executive, and possess “an exclusive remit to investigate and prosecute certain categories of cases and allegations of corruption, including those involving alleged violations of the Public Procurement Act and cases implicating political office holders and politicians.”
Prosecutions of such persons, he stressed, “will no longer be tainted by perceptions of witch-hunting and selective justice.”
The NPP flagbearer made this known on Monday, August 22, 2016, whilst addressing the 16th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, at Abetifi, Kwahu, in the Eastern Region.
Announcing a raft of measures to deal with “the toxic issue of corruption”, Nana Akufo-Addo, who was the Special Guest at the General Assembly, explained that a successful Ghana can only be built on the basis of good governance, underpinned by efficient and honest public services. This requires that we succeed in eliminating corruption, he added.
In order to restore Ghana’s reputation, which, sadly, over recent years, has become a byword for corruption, the NPP flagbearer stated that, firstly, he, together with his team, will give the requisite leadership, which is lacking under President Mahama.
“Public service is for me exactly that – public service. Anyone who joins my team to make money out of public office will not be welcome. Money is made in the private sector, not in public office. I will be strict in my supervision of this principle,” he assured.
Secondly, Nana Akufo-Addo stressed that his government will be scrupulous in enforcing the teachings of the Public Procurement Act (Act 663), which confine sole sourcing of public contracts to exceptional circumstances, and not the norm, as is the case under the Mahama government.
“Inflated contracts, which are currently the bane of our public finances, will be things of the past. Competitive bidding is the best protection of value for money in our public transactions, and will be the consistent mechanism for undertaking such transactions. The era of sole sourcing will come to an end,” he said.
The NPP flagbearer further added that an efficient and honest reordering and prioritization of the country’s public expenditure “will enable us to devote more resources to enhance the capacity of our anti-corruption agencies. It is essential that they have the means to lead the fight against corruption.”
He continued, “We will support all moves to give Parliament greater oversight capability over the activities of the Executive. This will give true meaning to the principles of separation of powers and accountable government.”
Nana Akufo-Addo, therefore, appealed “to the Presbyterian Church to give critical support to the next NPP government, God-willing, as it undertakes these crucial steps. Our very future depends on their success.”
With barely a little over 3 months to the holding of this year’s elections, the NPP flagbearer asked for prayers for the peace of the nation, so that the country emerges from the elections as a more united country.
“Add prayers for God’s guidance to members of the Electoral Commission, so they can make transparent and fair arrangements for the electoral contests to enhance the stability of our country. And please pray for the NPP and myself, that I will be given, by Almighty God, wisdom, strength, courage and compassion to enable me carry out my duties as a good leader.
“And finally, I ask that you pray that, during this election campaign period, those who seek for votes from the people come with malice towards none and love towards all,” he concluded.
