Former Chairman of the UK and Ireland Chapter of the governing National Democratic Congress, Horace Nii Ayi Ankrah, says “President Mahama has shown boldness and authenticity in his quest to addressing the country’s ill of corruption.”

Nii Ayi Ankrah said, has noted that boldness and authenticity are qualities leaders must possess to insightfully address problems facing a people.

He was speaking to Myjoyonline.com in an interview in reaction to the claim by former President John Agyekum Kufuor in a recent address in honour of the late former Vice President Aliu Mahama to the effect, that “Ghanaians Cry for NPP”.

Mr Ankrah claimed that: “the Ghanaian is crying for a bold and authentic leader to address the level of corruption in the country and I believe the Ghanaian does not care whether the leader is NPP or NDC.”

“The ill has been with us under different administrations and still persist therefore, we need timeless values and directives more than ever, so the country is crying for a bold and authentic leader who does not necessarily have to be a politician…… a leader with the nerves of a broken bottle and President Mahama is showing that” he said.

Nii Ayi Ankrah pointed out that the “holier than thou attitude or who is worse attitude” should be a thing of the past as we are a Ghanaian family that “rise or fall together and it is about time we have the belief of shared obligations to make the country great.”

The President recently outlined a host of stringent measures to control corruption in the country at a meeting with anti-corruption groups, Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). 

The president in that singular meeting indicated the numerous directives he has given to address matters concerning Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA), Savanna Accelerated Development Authority (SADA), SUBA Infosolutions, Waterville and Isofoton among others.   

Commenting on that Mr Ankrah said “since the inauguration of NACAP in 2012 the country is witnessing the first president who has put so much in place in the fight against corruption.  The recent directives are perfect and they can only come from a leader who is bold and authentic but the authenticity will be justified if the directives are given a revolutionary type of speed  with the hallmarks of democracy to achieve results” he pointed out.

“I am extremely happy with the directives because bold decisions by leaders do make a country strong and President Mahama is bold and authentic in his fight against corruption and we must join in as a people because the NDC, NPP CPP and the rest can never walk alone.” 

When asked to comment on the recent 25% reduction in utility tariffs Mr Ankrah being philosophical said “strong nations are built before decent individual pockets come around and that calls for sacrifices”.