President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, emphasized that the fight against corruption should commence at the highest levels of government.
During an interview on The Big Issue on Citi FM, he highlighted the need for a proactive approach to combat corruption effectively.
Cudjoe criticized the creation of the Office of the Special Prosecutor in Ghana, calling it a reactive measure that fails to address the root causes of corruption.
He pointed out specific instances of corruption within the Presidency, such as the Scholarship Secretariat scandal and questionable projects under the Ministry of Special Initiatives.
According to Cudjoe, addressing corruption at the source, namely the Presidency, is crucial to prevent further misuse of public funds and ensure accountability.
He emphasized that IMANI Africa advocates for a comprehensive strategy that targets corruption from its origins.
“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.”