Samson’s Take: International Anti-Corruption Day – integrity

Integrity, the quality of being honest, is how a war on corruption is winnable. It is the only way. On the occasion of this UN day observed on December 9, I invite each one of us to go beyond the finger-pointing and commit to not OFFER or AGREE or ACCEPT a bribe. That is integrity.

It is in the Quran you took to the Mosque yesterday and in the Bible you are taking to Church today or tomorrow. Let’s deliberately seek and procure the EVIDENCE of bribery and corruption and BLOW the whistle on those involved.

We could each start with road traffic offences, and play active citizen-watch for a vigorous use of the 2020 amended law (section 252 of the Criminal Offences Act) that punishes bribery with 12 – 25 years in jail. It takes two – the petty and grand corruption that robs this country of general reasonable quality of life – it takes two.

Congratulations to all winners at the GII integrity awards; the Internal Audit Agency, the NIA, the NCCE, and Manasseh Azure and Confidence Fiagadzi – joint winners of the integrity personality of the year award.

The last time, Daniel Domelevo, arguable the biggest public sector individual anti-corruption crusader, won it alone. It’s been humbling to be shortlisted from 31 nominations. And I truly appreciate those who nominated me though I don’t know you.
Dear MPs of Ghana’s Parliament, where is your integrity? The Speaker or those who preside over business of the House certainly have their failings, but you do greater damage resorting to violent, extrajudicial and defamatory means in dealing with them.

The few times S.K. Bagbin has had cause to call me for a conversation, I been left in no doubt that he means well, and this may be the best Parliament Ghana ever had. However, frustrated by the dishonorable strategies of either party, the Majority and Minority cannot justify their misconduct.

What Parliament has projected to the world in broad day light was watched by kids and young people. Can you imagine the indirect endorsement this shameful behaviour is to people who are being radicalized? The NCCE’s survey on violent extremism had frightening results.

The CDD also got its volunteers into boarder-communities recently to confirm the NCCE findings that unemployment, poverty and exclusion threaten the peace and security of the country. The state recognizes the security threat posed by violent extremism particularly the vulnerability of the unemployed and poor youth to radicalization and terrorist recruitment.

So, the last thing you want is to give the slimmest semblance of encouragement or endorsement of violent conduct. Remember this could also embolden the alleged disbanded party militia or ‘vigilante’. But why is Government and the Majority MPs feigning lack of awareness of the hardships and natural reaction in the groundswell of public rejection of the E-Levy?

Mr. President, just last year you celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Kume Preko demonstrations. You joined the Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobbey (Tarzan)-inspired and led team as spokesperson for the biggest protests in this country’s history for the same reasons. You got VAT implementation into trouble and people got killed exercising their basic constitutional rights.

Why the kneejerk reactions that suggest government is now being forced to think-through the E-Levy properly and soberly? Why not halt the process for extensive engagement? How can you tout competent management of the economy even in covid and act as though the economic will collapse on your head if this unpopular E-Levy is not implemented?

Mr. finance minister, you have been talking about burden-sharing and assure of protecting the public purse, really? There is not only abundant show of arrogance of power but profligacy, and corruption scandals that tend to prove the opposite.

If the former PPA boss were a member of the opposition I doubt he be walking free. Manasseh Azure risked his life to expose him in the contracts for sale investigative documentary. In Kenya, public officers caught in stealing (such naked rape of the public purse) don’t only lose their jobs, they lose the stolen money, their assets and are candidates for jail. Have you accounted for PDS?

Just as happened on 6th January 2020, there will be no disciplinary action against any errant MP. Yes, it is hindrance to their work and their supporters must know it is political witch-hunt even when they commit an offence and are being pursued by law enforcement or the courts.

The justice system is working only when a decision favours them else judges, almost all cases involving politically exposed persons, are biased and doing a political hatchet job. Where is your integrity Mr. Politician? You want the country to work? You sow tares and look to reap wheat?