ADVERTISEMENT

Stop ordering refund and prosecute corrupt individuals – Nana Akomea

“It seems that the method for fighting corruption now seems to be that when you are caught, we negotiate a refund for you and that is the end of the matter,” he said.

 

According to him, failing to follow up with prosecution of corrupt officials is hampering the effective eradication of the corruption canker which has plagued the nation.

“I don’t see how as a country, we are going to be able to fight corruption when all we do is negotiate for the people to refund the money. How are you going to fight corruption?”

“It seems that the method for fighting corruption now seems to be that when you are caught, we negotiate a refund for you and that is the end of the matter,” he said on Accra-based radio station, Citi FM on Saturday.

ADVERTISEMENT

During the week, government’s report on the $3.6 million bus re-branding scandal was leaked to the public and the report, among other things recommended that all officers who handled any aspect of the contract and flouted laid down procedures must be investigated by the Economic and Organised Crime Office [EOCO].

According to Nana Akomea, the Attorney General’s recommendations were clear that all indicted persons in the matter should be investigated and prosecuted and therefore, questioned why the Chief of Staff only acted upon the refunding of the excess monies.

“The Attorney General was very clear in her mind that wrong doing had been done, procurement processes were not followed, the whole thing was a sham, it was a create, loot and share and that refunds should be made and that beyond the refunds, there should be prosecution,” he said.

The NPP Communications Director stressed that the continuous ordering of indicted persons on corruption scandals to refund stolen monies “raises various issues in fighting corruption in this country.”

“The recommendation for refund has been accepted by the government but there is no prosecution. This is one too many of fighting corruption through refund,” he complained.

ADVERTISEMENT

He remarked that if government continues to negotiate with the people “and they are not even paying; when you have spent public money to investigate them and you’ve found out that they are culpable and you negotiate with them to bring the money and they are not bringing it, what balls are you showing?”

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh

ADVERTISEMENT