The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has declared that he will not shield his appointees involved in corrupt practices, as done by the current government leadership if elected president in the upcoming December polls.
Speaking to members of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Mr. Mahama urged Ghanaians to demand accountability from their leaders for the taxes they pay.
“If people have taken advantage of the country, they must be dealt with, and that is why I said when I come into the office and I am swearing in the ministers, I will caution them, and if they don’t listen and do not do their work well and EOCO or OSP come after you, I am not a clearing agent and I won’t interfere and I will let them do their work,” Mr Mahama said.
The NDC has tagged President Akufo-Addo as a clearing agent for failing to ensure his appointees accused of corrupt-related activities are probed. This name tag has however been dismissed by the president who says it is not his mandate to investigate or prosecute corrupt individuals.
Mahama also mentioned plans to establish an independent valuation office to prevent sole sourcing and procurement infractions if he wins the general elections.
“One of the reasons why you are suffering in terms of imposition of revenue and taxes is because of the expenditure side. If the government is raising the money and misusing it through sole sourcing, procurement and so forth, it is your taxpayers’ money that is being wasted and so we must take an interest in that and that is why I have suggested that we are going to have an independent valuation office and any sole sourcing contract must go for value-for-money audit to make sure that it has not been inflated.”
“Aside from that, we must make sure that we cut down on corruption and allow the anti-corruption institutions to work,” he said.