The NDC Council of Elders Chairman for South Africa, Benjamin Kofi Quashie has called for a collective effort from Ghanaians and Members of Parliament especially the Minority in demanding public accountability on how state funds were dissipated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This follows recent revelations in the Auditor-General’s COVID-19 report which cast a damning verdict on the government’s handling of the Covid-19 expenditures.

According to Mr Quashie, the Auditor-General’s report confirms how endemic corruption has become in President Akufo-Addo’s government.

He again expressed worry over the government’s disregard for what he describes as “the conscience of the nation.”

“I’ve taken my time to read the Auditor-General’s report and it’s damning. I look at the report and see our country on the verge of total collapse. The impunity with which this government does its things, the disregard for laid down procedures, the disregard for the conscience of our nation is something I cannot even wrap my head around,” he averred.

The businessman cum politician was however quick to explain that, his view has nothing to do with political expediency or gaining favor for the opposition NDC in terms of making the government unpopular.

“Covid-19 happened and everything was geared towards Covid. But little did we know that during the global pandemic when ordinary citizens were suffering, the government was making money from this pandemic,” he told Blessed Sogah, host of The Pulse on JoyNews.

He also added that the Auditor-General’s report on Covid-9 expenditure has revealed the insensitivity on the part of government.

“How can we be this insensitive. You read the report and you ask yourself; “Does the President read these things? Does the Vice President read these things?”

Mr. Quashie questioned if Ghanaians would align with politics and allow the wanton dissipation of public funds to go on, adding that “Public funds that Ghanaian tax payers have given to us to be used to run the country are being used to run individual egos, individual objectives and plans.”

Touching on the inability of the Auditor-General to proceed and surcharge persons found culpable of the financial infractions, Benjamin Quashie stated that the Auditor General who was appointed by the NPP government may have been cowed into submission due to how his predecessor was hounded out of office.

“Maybe, he doesn’t want what happened to Domelevo to happen to him” he said.

Meanwhile, the NDC is demanding that Parliament impresses on the Audit Service to disallow the various unauthorized expenses during the pandemic.

Also, the party is calling for a public account on how public funds were spent during the health crisis.