I have been quiet on Prof. Kwesi Yankah?s submission on corruption because of the shock his presentation sent through my nerves. I was one of his ardent readers when he wrote for the daily graphic. It is unfortunate an academic giant of his kind would allow pedestrian tantrums inform his thoughts on sensitive national issues. Looking at happenings on our political stables, it behooves on such minds to cautiously walk through the woods to avoid attacks. He displayed deep political biases in his presentation and if you?ve followed his write-ups from his daily graphic days, you would see a particular trend especially, considering his dead silence during the tenure of President Kufour. Corruption is not only about what pertains in government setups but also involves serious administrative manipulation and criminal acts in our public institutions.
At his level, one didn?t expect him to seriously speak on unverified information and mere perceptions or, make categorical statement on cases pending in our courts or constituted commissions. Students made serious allegations against him during his tenure as Dean of a department in the University of Ghana which bothered on moral as well as administrative manipulations. Some of us jumped to his defense and called on his attackers to provide evidential materials to support their claims. What has changed Prof and why this reckless and baseless submission.
With the establishment of our parliament, it became possible to make new laws or to change existing laws by passing an Act or Statute. As parliament gained in authority, statute law became more and more important and although some decrees are still influential, it is in Acts of parliament that most of the rules of living together are nowadays set out. I am basing my submission on this premise because, Prof Yankah, Prof. P.V.A Ansah, Prof. Mawusi Dake and others, ruthlessly attacked the PNDC government of acting ultra vires in many decisions it took on human right issues. They administration was accused of adopting a regimented Yes approach in administering state affairs. The right of the individual per provisions in the constitution can?t be trampled upon as was the case years ago. In protecting the right of the individual, state institutions like the court and other organizations are made available to the citizen as protective entities.
Where the good Prof.when politicians used all kinds of theories including biblical verses justify the act of corruption and where was the man when politicians protected administrators involved in corruption to save a particular administration from public attacks. Some political giants within the NDC have issues with Mahama because of his vigorous corruption fight all because, to them it has the potential of having negative effect on the party?s electoral fortunes. The President recently during a meeting with his appointees at Peduase Lodge admonished them to act within the confines of the prescribed code of conduct and be prepared to effect right and appropriate decisions even if it means a one term administration for him. This statement sharply contradicts the Kufour Philosophy of thinking of government and party first. Some officials of government and top party officials are currently before the court to answer allegations of corruption. Many criminal acts unearthed in some public institutions and decades long criminal manipulations discovered through the effort of the task force constituted by the President to check acts of corruption in our institutions. Hitherto, it was difficult if not a natural sin to publicly expose corruption in our public institutions, persons charged to unearth these corrupt practices usually compromise their positions by accepting bribes and other gifts from officials to bury information gathered. From the era of Prof. Mills, acts of corruption and negative practices get to the public domain for effective public scrutiny something which is alien to our political administration.
I hope the Professor is not advocating for totalitarianism where citizens would be denied the right to defend themselves against allegations made against them. He must understand that we are living in a different dispensation and government?s readiness to adhere strictly to laid down procedures and promulgated laws is part of good governance. For a President to openly expose his close pal to be questioned and quizzed is something we must commend. The President has given the various commission established by him the unlimited freedom to do its work and proceedings we all witnessed attested to that genuine determination to fight corrupt practices but in doing that, the President must act within the confines of the law and must respect the other arms of government.
Prof. Yankah has done irreparable damage to his image, he has allowed partisan political inclination mislead his thoughts and action and will respectfully appeal to him to as a matter of urgency come out with another more balanced and academically informed submission. We shouldn?t plant in the minds of Ghanaians that taking up government appointment means signing on to involve oneself in corrupt acts, it is dangerous and could lead to serious apathy since citizen will lose total confidence in the system.
Source: Ohenenana Obonti Krow
