P.C. Appiah Ofori: Parliament Does Not Have Power To Stop Corruption

Ghana�s anti- corruption crusader, Paul Collins Appiah Ofori has thrown a challenge to the current President to act upon the numerous allegations of corruption against members of his administration. Speaking to Sankofa Radio�s Aduana Deshye Preskese Gyamandu, Nana Kotobre on the program �Ehia Ma Adwendwen� in Virginia USA, the former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Asikuma- Odoben Brakwa stated that the systemic nature of corruption embedded in our Governmental institutions demands swift and prompt action from every President. He insisted that ex-Presidents Rawlings, Kuffour, Mills and current President Mahama have all failed to prosecute to the maximum extent of the law culprits who have been found guilty of corrupt activities. Mr. Appiah suggested a constitutional reform to allow parliament not only to debate and conduct hearings but also create a prosecution department to enable the parliamentary body to act on its own findings. He expressed frustration at the fact that the numerous anti-corruption institutions set up to deal with this issue are being thwarted by systemic hurdles which stifle progress in ridding state institutions of corrupt officials. Responding to recent criticisms in the Ghanaian media, PC Appiah Ofori charged that the fight against corruption should be led by the head of state of the land since Article 35 (8) of the 1992 Constitution clearly states, �The State shall take steps to eradicate� corrupt practices and the abuse of power.� He therefore expressed his disappointment that no public official under the past and present governments has been prosecuted for corruption in spite of credible evidence of corrupt practices. When pressed as to if he will run again for his old job, Mr. Ofori said he is seriously considering making another run in 2016 to push for a constitutional change to make it easier to prosecute corrupt officials. �I receive calls every day from my constituents asking me to go back in there and represent them; they are fed up with what is going on� Appiah Ofori concluded.