The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for the Adaklu Constituency in the Volta Region, Kwame Agbodza, has challenged the government to put its own before court if it is committed to fighting corruption in the country.
His challenge to the government follows the conviction and incarceration of a former National Coordinator of the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Agency (GYEEDA), now Youth Employment Agency, Abuga Pele, for willfully causing financial loss to the state.
Mr. Pele, a former Member of Parliament for Chiana-Paga in the Upper East Region on the ticket of the NDC and a former Chief Executive Officer of Goodwill International Group, Philip Assibit, are to serve six and 12 years respectively behind bars for their roles in the GYEEDA scandal which broke out in 2014.
The trial, initiated by the erstwhile John Mahama-led NDC government, Mr. Agbodza said, demonstrated that the former regime was not afraid to prosecute its own and that the current government should be seen to be doing same to underscore its commitment to the fight against corruption.
Speaking with journalists in Parliament, Kwame Agbodza said within or without, government must crack the whip.
“I am encouraging this government to take similar steps and arraign their own people we have accused of corruption in court.
“We are challenging them to do same because we have successfully tried one of us without fear or favour,” he said.
According to Mr. Agbodza, “the rule of law in this country must work and NDC is not afraid to allow the rule of law prevail even if it is against its own people.”
The Minority since the inception of this Parliament, the seventh of the fourth republic, has alleged series of what they say smack of corruption in the Akufo-Addo-led government.
Notable among the cases of corruption allegations the Minority has raised included the bribery allegation that rocked the Appointments Committee and the US$2.25 billion bond involving the Ministers of Energy and Finance respectively.
The rest are Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST) Company Limited contaminated oil debacle, the premix fuel diversion scandal and the ‘cash for seat scandal’.
In all the above listed scandals, some which led to the constitution of Parliamentary enquiry which exonerated the alleged architects of any wrongdoing, the government has claimed innocence.
But Mr. Agbodza believes such exonerations are a ploy to cover up the corruption in the government hinting that should the government fail to bring its people to book, a future NDC government will ensure that they were brought to book.
“I encourage this government not to become a clearing house to white-wash their members. They should also put their people to the nail,” he stated.
Source: Ghanaian Times
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