Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu has asked incumbent and future governments to demonstrate the political will to fight against corruption in honour of the late President Jerry John Rawlings.

According to him, Mr Rawlings’ cardinal principles of probity and accountability should continue to set the tone in the fight against corruption in both public and private sectors of the economy.

Speaking to journalists after some members of Parliament filed past the remains of the late former president, the Tamale South lawmaker, Haruna Iddrisu noted that preserving our democracy should be the utmost priority of every Ghanaian official, adding that presidents should be seen at the fore of this fight against corruption.

“As a people, our first commitment should be an unwavering commitment to preserve our democracy, its ethos and values built on the fundamental principles of justice, probity and accountability as part of our political consciousness.

“Corruption is still an integral and important aspect of our national public life. Regrettably and unfortunately, he [Rawlings] had to exert the greatest punishment in his quest to fight corruption. But we need to do more, presidents should demonstrate a will beyond legislations to punish persons who loot the state,” he emphasised.

The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu on his part said the former President restored Ghana's economy through funding from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Programme.

He added that the late ex-president also laid a strong foundation for the 4th Republic through the establishment of the 1992 Constitution.

“It was during his time that the country was thrown into difficult times; there was famine, drought, and deportation of Ghanaians but under his administration things changed. Especially with a partnership with the IMF and that salvaged this country and repositioned Ghana.

“Then 11 years on, the country had its first election to advent the Fourth Republic. So if you are talking about the Fourth Republic, the foundation was Rawlings,” he stated.

Taking his turn, the 2nd Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Andrew Amoako Asiamah described the late statesman as a forthright and decisive president.

“He was a very forthright person, very decisive. He lived for Ghana, worked for Ghana and died for Ghana,” he said.