Former Auditor General Daniel Yao Domelevo has delivered a critique of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration led by President Nana Akufo-Addo.
He has accused the government of fostering widespread corruption that is exacerbating the suffering of Ghanaian citizens.
Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show on July 19, Domelevo, who was controversially retired by the president as ruled by the Supreme Court, highlighted the severe implications of alleged corruption under the current government.
Domelevo expressed deep frustration over the state of governance, asserting that corruption has become pervasive and is negatively impacting the lives of ordinary Ghanaians.
He emphasized that citizens are struggling to make ends meet, while those in positions of power live extravagantly.
“Corruption is everywhere; you don’t have to look far,” Domelevo said. “Look at the lifestyles of people in government. Some individuals who have dedicated their lives to serving in the government are now finding it difficult to secure even a basic meal.”
He cited specific instances of financial mismanagement, including reports of payments made to a South African company for a sky train project that never materialized. “We have heard that around 2 million dollars were paid for a project that didn’t happen,” he explained.
“Ghana has ended up with the most expensive hole in history. These are not just perceptions; they are concrete examples of mismanagement and corruption.”
According to Domelevo, the current administration’s approach to corruption has reached unprecedented levels, creating a sense of frustration among both the public and government employees.
He described corruption as having evolved into a competitive endeavor among successive governments, each striving to outdo the other in corrupt practices.
“Successive governments seem to be engaged in a marathon of corruption, with each administration escalating the level of corruption,” Domelevo said. “The current level is unsustainable, and immediate action is needed.”
Domelevo called for a decisive response to combat corruption, urging the government to hold corrupt officials accountable and prosecute those involved.
“It doesn’t matter how many days or months are left; something must be done now. The corrupt officials must be identified and prosecuted, rather than just being observed while evidence of their wrongdoing accumulates.”