Mahama’s First Scandal: Anti-Corruption Deals Revealed
The First Scandal of President Mahama
Just two weeks after President John Dramani Mahama took office, journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni wrote him an open letter. He titled the letter “Goldmines and Landmines: Manasseh’s Open Letter to President Mahama.” In the letter, Awuni identified several potential pitfalls. He warned the new administration about them. At the top of his list was Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL), the government’s anti-corruption initiative.
Awuni specifically warned that going after stolen wealth would be a slippery path. For example, the previous administration also attempted to recover loot. It hired Kroll Associates to audit transactions, which resulted in a major scandal. Awuni therefore advised the new government to remain completely transparent. He stated that those who stole millions could easily cut deals with some government officials. Consequently, Awuni warned that a lack of resolve could make ORAL a huge scandal. It could also prevent the government from embarking on serious accountability. He stressed that ORAL should apply to members of the government’s own administration.
NDC Officials and Their Secret Deals
Just last week, the General Secretary of the governing NDC, Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, made a shocking revelation. He disclosed that some top NDC members were cutting deals with corrupt officials from the past administration. In a public statement, he explained, “Many among us, despite the fact that pleas and pressure are coming that punishment has to be meted and this must be done properly, some among us are busy trying to cut deals with people who are supposed to be prosecuted.” He said people were becoming conduits. Through them, pressure was being brought to bear on those who were supposed to do what is right. Mr. Kwetey did not mention names; however, he warned that a time may come when he must.
Mahama’s First Scandal
Some observers wondered if Manasseh had a prophetic vision. He explained that he simply knows enough to predict. He can predict with the same precision as Mussa Dankwa on some governance issues in this country. Awuni now hopes that with Fiifi Kwetey’s revelation, President John Mahama will crack the whip. This revelation, he notes, is likely not new to the President. Cracking the whip could save the President’s legacy. This developing situation could become Mahama’s first scandal. It must not be allowed to fester. After all, Ghana cannot afford another instance of business as usual.
Source: Manasseh Azure Awuni, FACEBOOK
