As part of their bid to root out corruption, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has rolled out a strategy that promises to address issues plaguing the nation, starting with a forensic audit into the illegal printing of money by the Bank of Ghana (BoG). According to the NDC, the BoG’s actions caused hyperinflation in 2022, pushing approximately 850,000 Ghanaians into poverty.
The party has also pledged to examine the controversial gold-for-oil policy and review the Public Procurement Act, if they win the elections in December.
These proposals come on the heels of widespread discontent with how corruption has destroyed Ghana’s economy, but while the NDC’s promises sound strong on paper, some anti-corruption advocates remain skeptical.
Speaking to The High Street Journal, anti-corruption campaigner Mr. Edem Senanu has voiced concerns about what he describes as deficits in the NDC’s anti-corruption policies. Senanu argues that the party’s approach is reactive, focusing on symptoms instead of the root causes of corruption.
His reservations resonate with many Ghanaians, who remember past corruption scandals under the previous NDC government, including the infamous bus branding, GYEEDA, and SADA scandals. These high-profile cases remain fresh in the public’s mind and represent deep systemic flaws that need more than just surface-level fixes.
Mr.Senanu calls for more concrete measures beyond the proposed forensic audits and reviews. He points out that while reviewing the Public Procurement Act is a step in the right direction, the real issue lies in the enforcement of existing laws.
A recent survey shows that about 80% of procurement processes are conducted through sole sourcing, despite clear legal guidelines. This, Mr. Senanu asserts, isn’t an issue of legislative deficiency but one of implementation failure.
Mr.Senanu’s critique of the NDC’s anti-corruption strategy highlights a crucial gap and preventive measures. Key areas such as asset declaration, political party financing, and the unexplained wealth of public officeholders were conspicuously absent from the NDC’s proposals. These policies are essential to curbing corruption before it occurs, rather than merely responding to it after the act.
The campaigner also advocates for the establishment of a fast-track anti-corruption court, a proposal that could expedite legal processes and create a high-risk environment for potential offenders. He believes this approach would deter corruption by making it clear that offenders would face swift justice rather than drawn-out investigations that often fade into oblivion.
Moreover, Mr.Senanu calls for the strengthening of existing institutions, such as the Special Prosecutor’s Office, which has shown promise in cases like the Airbus scandal. He emphasizes that a robust institutional framework is crucial to ensuring that corruption cases are handled independently and are not perceived as witch hunts, a common accusation in the highly politicized landscape of Ghanaian governance
While Mr. Senanu’s critique focused primarily on the NDC’s policies, he did not spare the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). With the NPP in power, Mr. Senanu argues that the party has the immediate opportunity to implement the anti-corruption measures it has long touted. The issue, he contends, lies in the disconnect between policy promises and real-world action.
One of the most glaring examples of this, according to Senanu, is the law that requires a certain percentage of Members of Parliament (MPs) to serve as ministers. This legal stipulation, he argues, incentivizes MPs to cater to the executive, stifling parliamentary scrutiny and enabling corruption. By removing this requirement, MPs would be free to hold the executive accountable without the fear of losing potential ministerial appointments.
The core issue, as Mr. Senanu sees it, is the need for a structural overhaul. Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts have long been hindered by a lack of political will and weak institutional capacity. While the NDC’s promises of forensic audits and policy reviews address specific instances of corruption, they do little to address the broader systemic issues that allow corruption to flourish.
The NDC’s plans, though well-intentioned, may only scratch the surface of the problem. Without a comprehensive strategy that includes preventive measures, stronger enforcement of existing laws, and a commitment to institutional independence, Ghana’s fight against corruption risks being yet another campaign promise that fades into history.
As the 2024 elections approach, both the NDC and NPP will be under increasing scrutiny to deliver on their anti-corruption promises. Ghanaians are tired of rhetoric; they want action.
