‘Honourables’ Bereft Of Honour

Those who lead and seek to lead must exhibit a high sense of morality. In the event of their failing to do so and rather enmeshed in verifiable acts of impropriety, the relevant laws must be applied. That is how to build a nation.

Of late, the Rwandan magic has gone virile on social media. We too can replicate the feats here if we punish those who deliberately draw double emoluments and keep them away from holding critical national positions.

Any attempt to alter the standards will not inure to the country’s health; the glittering economic figures notwithstanding. These figures, like icebergs, would thaw in the face of a high temperature as represented by the acts of impropriety perpetrated by persons holding state appointments.

Countries have failed to enjoy the fruits of their natural and human resources because of unacceptable governance practices such as played out by MPs and ministers in the immediate past political administration.

Those charged with ensuring that the laws of the land are adhered to must be seen to be dealing with the issue of double salaries enjoyed by persons who are supposed to be honourable gentlemen of the legislature.  They have breached the laws they enacted and expected to uphold.

When they hold on to issues, most of which are non-issues anyway but intended to run their opponents down, the noise they generate in the media present them as angels. Receiving double salaries is a serious infraction and denies them the moral right to accuse others of non-compliance with tenets of integrity.

By their alleged acts, they do not qualify to wear the title of ‘honourables’  even as we await their fate, their case having been sent to the Attorney General for advice.

If there is an opportunity by the government or for that matter, the relevant agency to deal with issues bordering on political indecency and even financial criminality without favouritism, this is one.

We cannot have MPs taking double emoluments and seeking to justify same with unsound logic. We would be allowing a deliberate destruction of the integrity of Parliament if the necessary action is not taken against the recipients of the illegal state monies.

Ignorance has no place in this matter as is politics. The Special Prosecutor returned the double salary given him because he is a man of integrity. As for those who did not deem it necessary to do so, readers can decide on how to describe them.

It is important that the Special Prosecutor has said that it would be inappropriate to apply double standards in the application of the law. That is fantastic and we can only wish him well as he deals with this test case.

With the Office of the Special Prosecutor now set to go, Ghanaians have riveted their attention on how Mr. Martin Amidu is going to prove his mettle.

The picture of Ghana in the international community is not an attractive one; such developments as legislators knowingly drawing double emoluments clearly evidencing this assertion.