IMANI Africa President Franklin Cudjoe has urged a proactive approach in the fight against corruption, emphasizing the need to start at the highest levels of government.
Speaking on The Big Issue on Citi FM, Cudjoe criticized the reactive nature of the Office of the Special Prosecutor in Ghana, stating that it fails to address the underlying causes of corruption effectively.
During the interview with Selorm Adonoo, Cudjoe cited specific instances of corruption within the Presidency, including the Scholarship Secretariat scandal and questionable projects under the Ministry of Special Initiatives.
He argued that tackling corruption at its root, particularly within the Presidency, is essential to prevent further misuse of public funds and ensure transparency and accountability.
IMANI Africa’s stance underscores the importance of a comprehensive strategy that targets corruption from its origins rather than merely reacting to established cases.
“Charity begins at home, and so fighting corruption should start at the Presidency because that is where all the crooked things are cooked. Look at the Scholarship Secretariat scandal; is it not from there? This Ministry of Special Initiatives, was it not harboured at the Presidency, which led to all these dams that were constructed like dugouts and wasted money all over the place. Just take a cursory look at that office.
“So, even creating the Office of the Special Prosecutor was like battling after the facts were established, and people with deep pockets will fight you because they have made enough money to fight you through. We at IMANI say that fighting corruption and waste begins at the Presidency.”