The recent past Deputy Minister of Education in charge of Tertiary, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has challenged the new administration to substantiate corruption allegations leveled against the NDC while they (the NPP) were in opposition.
“All the rumors, the name-calling, the vilification and accusations – it is time for those who have alleged to substantiate”, he stated.
Adding: “It is time to show true commitment in the fight against corruption, now that you are in office”
The former Minister said these when reacting to corruption allegations made against him and the NDC government under which he served.
Speaking in an interview with the West Afrikan Source’s Clifford Yaw Frimpong about a week ago, Mr. Ablakwa expressed displeasure at what he described as falsehood used by the NPP to kick the NDC out of power.
According to him, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), contrary to the true picture, made Ghanaians believe that the NDC were so corrupt and as a result voted them out of office.
“If someone is indeed corrupt, yes, let’s call them out, let’s expose them and prosecute them to set an example; however let’s not just make wild allegations when there is actually no evidence or basis”, he insisted.
The former Minister, who served in all two terms of the NDC government, said the culture of smear politicking in Ghanaian politics was worrying and needed to be eschewed.
“Very soon, the people on our side who are unhappy about the falsehood put out by the NPP to get us out of office, will do same to them and that becomes a vicious cycle which is not what we want”, he indicated.
Corruption allegations
Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa was one of the officials in the outgone NDC administration, whose name was constantly on the lips of NPP communicators, accused of amassing wealth through abuse of public office.
The then opposition party alleged that the young Minister owned scads of fuel stations among other big investments across the country and overseas.
However responding to the allegations, Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa stated that the claims were unfounded and were mere pejorative speculations spread by the NPP to create opprobrium.
“They speculated that I own many fuel stations when indeed I do not own a single one. I am not a businessman nor am I in the oil industry. I do not see public service as a moneymaking opportunity… I have never dipped my hands in state coffers”, he averred.
Enough of the mudslinging
According to the former Minister, the torrent of vilification and name-calling in the country’s politics had besmirched the political space and as a result had discouraged many public-spirited people from serving the country.
“There’s too much dirt and filth in our politics and that has kept many good people away from serving the nation”, he opined.
The forthright, 36-year-old Member of Parliament for the North Tongu constituency called on the NPP administration to investigate his stewardship and prosecute him if found guilty of any malfeasance.
Source: ghanaweb.com
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Okudzeto, is it not too early for you to be making these comments? In any case was NPP which kept singing corruption to NDC? Ask about JJ, Nana Kunadu Agyeman Rawlings etc, even Amidu is still talking about NDC's corruption led parliament. Why blame NPP? All sensible Ghanaians know how corrupt you're. When the time comes for you to answer corruption charges, don't involve any chief and don't be tribalistic. Just be bold and wait.
This is only day 3. Gloria Akuffo dey for you...
OH OKUDZATO WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO MAHAMA, WHEN THE THE MAN IS ASKING ASANTEHENE TO BEG NANA ADDO FOR HIM YOU ARE MAKING NOISE . DONT WORRY LORDINA THE FIRST LADY COCOA SPRAYING SAGA CONTRACT WE SOON HIT YOU . THIS TIME WE WILL NOT ALLOW OUR PARLIAMENTARIAN TO BEND THE LAWS WE WILL FIGHT FOR OUR HARD EARNED TAX THAT HAVE BEEN MISAPPROPRAITED. IF YOU NO WHAT IS GOOD FOR YOU BETTER BE LIKE MAHAMA ASKING PEOPLE TO BEG FOR HIM,
Corruption is always done under the carpet. However your standard of leaving and the rate of properties acquisition within some specific period determines some deals are going on. so my brother dont rush. the truth will come out. I know Nana believes in rule of law. So every steps will be done accordingly
Oh Ablakwa, take it easy. Talking is free especially in this democratic dispensation. The internal revenue authority will soon provide you forms to show why your properties should not attract taxes. You will also show how you came bye 20,000 cedis which was stolen from your vehicle at a washing bay. Stay your breath, the day of reckoning is coming slowly
foooork offff
What is the albino saying....
Masa, dont tell us what to do. u can sing ur grievances to Mahama....mtcheeew
When a person is uncertain about the future they sometimes resort to bravado and self-praise which is what Ablakwa is doing. This is just preparing the ground to claim that there is a witch hunt should a corruption case be brought against him. He is not on his own just observe the language used by some of them lately with even Kofi Adams praising Nana Addo for his tenacity. Many of these former NDC politicians are very scared about their future especially should they stay in opposition for more than 4 years.
Ghanaians talk too much. Were the corruption issues not glaring? Do we need anybody to reveal the bus branding saga, the GYEEDA and SADA issues. This empty bravado must stop or nobody should take notice of it or where it is coming from.