The policy think tank also accused the government of its anti-corruption drive saying it fishes out only members of previous governments and legitimizes corruption in his government. It catalogs some of the alleged corruptions in the government citing the ministry of communications signing a contract with Kelni – GVG describing the deal as bogus and also the national digital addressing system.
“Early this year, the Ministry of Communication came under the spot light as a result of the Digital Addressing System scandal. A system which is virtually tapped through Google satellite was bought for $2.5 million with taxpayers’ money. As a Scientist, I know that a team of three PhD students under professorial supervision can set up this Digital Addressing System costing less than 500,000 GHc. Buying the system therefore for $ 2.5 million, is pure corruption on the part of the Government. Yet the President says he has come to protect the public purse”.
READ THE PRESS STATEMENT FROM THE CAUCUS FRO DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE – GHANA.
PRESS RELEASE
28th May, 2918
SMELLING GREED AND ABJECT CORRUPTION ON DAILY BASIS.
“HEADS FROM GOVERNMENT MUST ROLL”.
Caucus for Democratic Governance-Ghana (CDG-GH), has for the past seventeen months observed smelling greed and abject corruption in our governance system. The so called anti-corruption drive, fishes only members of previous Governments; thus legitimizing corruption in Akufo Addo`s Government.
Early this year, the Ministry of Communication came under the spot light as a result of the Digital Addressing System scandal. A system which is virtually tapped through Google satellite was bought for $2.5million with taxpayers’ money. As a Scientist, I know that a team of three PhD students under professorial supervision can set up this Digital Addressing System costing less than 500,000 GHc. Buying the system therefore for $ 2.5 million, is pure corruption on the part of the Government. Yet the President says he has come to protect the public purse.
Currently reports suggest that the same Ministry of Communication has signed another dubious contract of 179 million dollars with a Haiti Company (Kelni GVG). As a result of this dubious contract, a Board member of the National Communications Authority (NCA) has resigned. The Board of Directors contends that the NCA, as the implementing Agency, has engineers and technicians who are capable of doing the job at a cheaper cost. This reckless dissipation of resources has led to public call for the resignation of Ursula Owusu Ekuful, the Minister of Communication.
There are many other cases of corruption crippling the economy on daily basis. These corruption cases are either swept under the carpet, ignored or left to sink in absurdity. The strategy of the President requires a “monarchical” governance team, made up of clan members, friends and relatives; occupying strategic positions in the Government machinery: such as the Police, the Judiciary and Parliament and Executive. The so called mafia system works apparently in all areas of governance under oath of secrecy.
It is therefore not surprising that the bribery case of the two Deputy Chiefs of Staff, collecting $20,000 from visitors, visiting the President ; was messed up at the CID headquarters and left to rot in the President`s office. The 100,000 dollar “cash for seat” bribery scandal was stopped and rendered harmless by a majority report in Parliament. The BOST SAGA (involving 5 million liters of contaminated oil) died off without casualty. The KENBOND of $ 2.25million and the improper declaration of asserts, passed on quietly without casualty. The Premix diversion of 2.2 million GHc passed unnoticed. The cost of Ghana @60, supposed to come from private contributions, now cost the taxpayer GHc 60 million. The scandal of some majority in Parliament who live in Government bungalows and still collected rent allowance of GHc 90,000 each beats all time imagination.. The 2017 audit report released a few weeks ago indicates massive corruption at the NHIA. The corruption cases are now on daily basis. The cost of 110 Ministers as well as 998 Presidential staffers, the cost of change of name from Flagstaff House to Jubilee House ($20,000) and renovation of Peduase Lodge @ GHc100 million are all heavy drains on the resources of the Nation.
Just this week, the Tiger Eye expose, dropped the names of President Akufo Addo and Dr Bawumia as names that have been allegedly used by Kwesi Nyantekyi (GFA President) to collect bribes.
The Caucus for Democratic Governance-Ghana (CDG -GH), is of the opinion, that the smelling greed and abject corruption cannot continue for all times. There must be a change; either of Government or Governance. The masses are saying: “heads must roll”. There must be cabinet reshuffle. Clan members, friends and relatives of the President in Government must be made to answer corruption allegations against them. CORRUPTION IS INDIVISIBLE.
Dr E.K.Hayford
Chief Convener CDG-GH
