The National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi, has criticised the Akufo-Addo government for failing to deal with corruption.

Mr Gyamfi argued that instead of tackling the issue of corruption for the benefit of ordinary Ghanaians, the government is directing its efforts towards those advocating against corruption.

This is in response to the latest Corruption Perceptions Index, in which Ghana is ranked 70th out of 180 countries in terms of corruption.

In a written statement on Thursday, February 1, Mr Gyamfi stressed that Ghana's performance in corruption rankings will persistently be unsatisfactory as long as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) remains in power.

He further noted that the previous administration led by John Mahama recorded its worst Corruption Perception Index score of 43 in 2016, which ironically remains the best score achieved by Akufo-Addo and Bawumia under the CPI of Transparency International.

• Read also: Ghana makes no progress in latest Corruption Perception Index – Report

"Did you know that John Mahama’s worst Corruption Perception Index performance was a score of 43, recorded in 2016? And that, this score remains Akufo-Addo and Bawumia’s best score under the CPI of Transparency International?"

"It is glaringly clear, from Ghana’s performance under the CPI in the last seven years, that the fight against corruption has been lost by the corrupt and wasteful Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government, who have institutionalized corruption and made it a thriving free for all venture.

"Never in the history of Ghana has any government enabled, facilitated, promoted, and defended corruption like this government has done."

Mr Gyamfi urged Ghanaians to cast their votes for John Mahama in the upcoming general elections this year if they desire a genuine effort to combat corruption.

He asserted that Mr Mahama has shown the requisite determination and capability to fight corruption in the country effectively.

"Don’t let your vote, aid them to escape from accountability. Rather let your vote, aid the state to hold them accountable."

"A vote for John Dramani Mahama (The Nation Builder) is the only way, we can hold these crooks accountable for the several crimes they have committed against our beloved nation," he added.

Transparency International has released the latest Corruption Perceptions Index, which ranks Ghana as 70th out of 180 countries in terms of corruption.

The country scored 43 out of a possible 100, which is the same score since 2020.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, Ghana scored better than 39 other countries, including Burkina Faso (41), South Africa (41), Côte d'Ivoire (40), Tanzania (40), and Lesotho (39).

However, it ranked lower than seven countries in the region, including Mauritius (51), Namibia (49), and São Tomé and Príncipe (45).

Transparency International's CPI reveals a mixed picture of anti-corruption efforts in Africa. While some countries have made notable progress, the majority still struggle with widespread corruption.

The average score for African countries remains low, at just 33 out of 100, with 90% of Sub-Saharan African nations scoring below 50.

Below is Sammy Gyamfi's full write-up

SAMMY GYAMFI ESQ. WRITES ON THE LATEST CORRUPTION PERCEPTION INDEX:

Did you know, that Ghana’s best Corruption Perception Index performance was achieved in the year 2014, under the leadership of H.E John Dramani Mahama, when the country attained its highest CPI score: a score of 48?

Did you know that Ghana’s worst Corruption Perception Index performance in the last decade, was recorded in the year 2017, under the supervision of corrupt Akufo-Addo and Bawumia, when the country attained its lowest CPI score; a score of 40?

Did you know that John Mahama’s worst Corruption Perception Index performance was a score of 43, recorded in 2016. And that, this score remains Akufo-Addo and Bawumia’s best score under the CPI of Transparency International.

It is glaringly clear, from Ghana’s performance under the CPI in the last seven (7) years, that the fight against corruption has been lost by the corrupt and wasteful Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government, who have institutionalized corruption and made it a thriving free for all venture. Never in the history of Ghana has any government enabled, facilitated, promoted and defended corruption like this government has done.

From the BOSTGATE scandal to the PDS scandal, to the PPA Contracts for Sale scandal, to the “Galamsey” fraud scandal, to the Ameri Novation scandal, to the missing excavators scandal, to the missing fertilizers scandal, to the missing oil scandal, to the missing tricycles scandal, to the Sputnik V Vaccine scandal, to the COVID-19 funds “chop chop” scandal, to the Number 12 scandal, to the Appearance Fee scandal, to the Gold Mafia scandal, to the stolen rice scandal, to the latest stinky SML scandal; Jack Toronto and his younger brother and Mentee, have facilitated, perpetrated and promoted corruption, leading to unprecedented financial losses to the state.

Instead of protecting the public purse as they promised in opposition, they have brazenly desecrated the public purse, wasted meager states resources on useless ventures and shielded co-perpetrators of corruption from accountability.

Instead of fighting corruption, they have turned around to fight corruption fighters with the might of the state, leading to the murder of an anti-corruption investigative journalist, Ahmed Suale, the unlawful ousting of the former Auditor General, Mr. Yao Domelevo, the resignation of the former Special Prosecutor, Martin A.B.K Amidu and the oppression of several journalists and critical voices.

Remember, that a vote for Bawumia is a third term vote for corrupt Akufo-Addo and his greedy cabal of family and friends.

Don’t let your vote, aid them to escape from accountability. Rather let your vote, aid the state to hold them accountable.

A vote for H.E John Dramani Mahama (The Nation Builder) is the only way, we can hold these crooks accountable for the several crimes they have committed against our beloved nation.

SIGNED.
SAMMY GYAMFI ESQ.
National Communications Officer, NDC