Ghana is a Republic behind time. The gap we seek to bridge, between our reality and ideals, requires citizens to work around the clock. 

The developed nations continue to advance into new realms of human civilization and improve the experience of life for citizens and consumers. The only way we can catch up and leap forward is through service, in the greater interest of our Republic, without ceasing. 

This is why I am baffled by the decision of the President, Nana Akufo-Addo, to insist that an industrious public servant, Daniel Yaw Domelevo, Auditor-General, takes accumulative leave against his will.

Akufo-Addo, on 29th June 2020, in a letter, initially suggested the Auditor-General deserved some 123 days of rest.

The Auditor-General, a staunch adherent, both in principle and practice, to the values of probity and accountability is respected for his anti-corruption credentials as a public servant.

Domelevo, a man of integrity, has become a leading light for citizens who aspire to build the Republic and put Ghana first. His hands are clean.

Akufo-Addo rode to the Jubilee House on the high horse of an anti-corruption crusader. It’ll dent his credentials if, unquestionably, the most upright citizen in public service is forced out of office.

Domelevo, in a letter responding to the President, appealed to Akufo-Addo to reconsider his earlier instruction, only to be met with another letter from the Office of the President which extended his leave by 44 days.

The entire kerfuffle is mind-blowing. It really isn’t just about the fact that the President needs to axe, temporarily or permanently, Domelevo from office; the more crucial issue here is that the Auditor-General will have to hand his brief over to the Deputy Auditor-General.

This is where the suspicion arouses: it appears the Jubilee House may need to unplug an alarm before it goes off. It’s a matter of public knowledge that Domelevo has been a headache for government officials.

For instance, he has virtually had his foot on the neck of Yaw Osafo-Marfo, Senior Minister, over a $1m payment to Kroll & Associates. Even more importantly, the Office of the President is under the watchful eye and mandate of Daniel Yaw Domelevo.

This is why many are convinced that the influence of the Executive has been harnessed to compromise the independence of the Auditor-General’s office. And this move hasn’t sat well at all with the public; It’s almost ridiculous to ask the one person tasked with protecting the national purse to stay out of work for about 8 months.

We need to allow independent institutions to function without interference from the Executive arm of government. We can build a credible democracy, on the basis of law and order, if there are strong checks and balances on the political authority of government.

I’ve always believed that, regardless of which party or interest-group is voted in power, it is important that we maintain an effective apolitical civil service with the administrative capacity to stimulate national development.

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Vincent Djokoto is an Adviser at D. K. T. Djokoto & Co and a Columnist passionate about politics, pop culture and history. He is an avid chess player, music enthusiast and Accra Hearts of Oak fan.