The Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede, has advocated for a change in the criminal justice system, where the Constitution is amended to strengthen the fight against corruption.

According to him, it is out of place for persons found to have embezzled huge sums of public funds, among other corrupt acts, to be let off the hook, while petty thieves are sentenced to years in prison.

He believes equal punitive measures against persons found culpable of the law, irrespective of their societal or political status would play a crucial role in the fight against corruption and help deter people from stealing.

Togbe Afede was speaking at the Asogli Anti-Corruption Day in Ho, an activity instituted as part of the annual yam festival celebrations to weaponize the citizenry against corruption.

“Of course, constitutional provision can help. That is why I like the idea of the Constitutional Review Committee, hopefully, we shall identify aspects in the constitution that will need amendment and these amendments can help strengthen the fight against corruption.

“But of course, laws don't enforce themselves, we have to enforce those laws. Lack of enforcement has been one factor in encouraging people who want to steal to steal.

“We need the appropriate laws as well. We have always heard about the goat thief who is sent to jail for many years and the ones who steal millions walking free. Again we need a form of constitution to remedy those situations”, he said.

He added that the country must reform the institutions mandated by the constitution to enforce the country’s laws, arguing that most of them are “weak and bastardized”, hence “unable to play their roles in the fight against corruption.”

Lack of accountability

Togbe Afede highlighted the lack of accountability as another canker that needs to be addressed where public officials devise means to steal from the state, and go scot-free.

He disclosed that Ghana loses close to $3 billion annually to corruption, a colossal amount that would have been channeled into development projects to benefit the masses.

Commitment to corruption

He stressed his commitment to lead the Asogli State to fight against corruption and the development of the country stems from his humble beginnings and experiences of financial difficulty in accessing education among others.

He chronicled how he had to save while studying in the USA to invest in Ghana explaining that his fortunes are intertwined with those of Ghana, therefore, he would be directly affected by the progress or retrogression of the country.

“My fortunes are linked to the fortunes of Ghana, if Ghana is good, I will be good. If Ghana is great, I will be great. If Ghana perishes, I probably will perish first. So, I am unwaveringly committed to fighting anything that is a stumbling block to our development”, he stressed.

Lack of development due to corruption

He stressed that Ghana has no excuse not to develop and promote a happy citizenry as enshrined by the constitution since it is well endowed with natural resources.

“We are thirsty while standing in the middle of the stream, that is the paradox”, said Togbe Afede.

He lamented how some public officials take delight in redirecting funds intended for development into their personal pockets to enrich themselves while the majority of the citizenry wallows in poverty.

He asserted that the high incidents of poverty, bred by corruption have led to desperation, exodus of citizens to the western world, and increasing crime, and suicide rates.

“I recall when I spoke at the Big Push [launch ceremony], I identified corruption and inadequate infrastructure as our key developmental problems. And of course, you know, that the lack of adequate infrastructure is also a consequence of corruption, it makes corruption the number one enemy”, Togbe Afede stressed.

Greed leads to corruption

He indicated that the lack of the ability by people to distinguish between needs and wants and the willpower to have certain things at all costs is greed, which is the major cause of corruption.

He further said that “greed is bad, leads to corruption, which is cronyism, and leads to tribalism.”

Togbe Afede added that corruption is also being practiced in the private sector as owners of private firms are beginning to lose huge sums of money due to greedy acts by their employers who are never satisfied with the salaries provided.

Togbe Afede concluded with a call for attitudinal change, urging citizens to desist from corrupt acts and become whistle blowers to protect the public purse, and ensure money meant for projects and other things do not end up in private pockets.

“Corruption has become a big problem eroding the foundation of development”, he said.