October 4,2024

“Desires affect structures that change our tendencies to act, the desire of this current government is to break the Ghanaian youth and render us useless.. it has become their core motivation that the idea of free will and justice can not exist in an NPP government”

In recent years, Ghana’s political landscape has been tainted by a series of corruption scandals that have raised serious questions about the integrity of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). Under the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo,(the human rights lawyer) what was once a promising administration has increasingly become synonymous with a troubling normalization of corruption and a disturbing trend of criminalizing the very rights of citizens.

Since taking office in 2017, the NPP has faced numerous allegations of corruption, some of which have sent shockwaves through the nation. One of the most notable scandals is the Ameri Contract Saga, which led to the sacking of Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko. Agyarko was dismissed not for any wrongdoing, but for attempting to uphold transparency in the management of energy contracts, a move that many saw as a direct challenge to entrenched interests within the party.

The cash for seat scandal also raised eyebrows. Reports surfaced alleging that individuals seeking audience with President Akufo-Addo were often required to pay significant sums of money, effectively creating a paywall for democratic engagement.

Adding to the list of controversies is the Australian Visa Scandal, where government officials were implicated in a scheme that allegedly exploited their positions for personal gain. This incident further exemplifies the troubling intertwining of politics and corruption within the NPP. Pius Enam Hadzide an appointee of the government was fingered. A flagstaff committee was set up to investigate, he was miraculously found not guilty and cleared.

The issue of illegal mining, or galamsey, has also been a point of contention. Several government appointees including Ekow Ewusi have been accused of complicity in the illegal mining trade, undermining the government’s own anti-galamsey initiatives and raising questions(Prof Frimpong Boateng) about the commitment of the NPP to combat corruption and protect Ghana’s natural resources. Again Mr Ekow Ewusi was investigated and cleared by the flagstaff investigating unit.

Perhaps one of the most shocking revelations came from Cecilia Dapaah, the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, who was found to have over a million dollars in cash stored in her home. This discovery was particularly jarring given the government’s previous stance against the holding of foreign currency, which had led to the arrest of ordinary citizens for similar offenses. Dapaah’s case highlights a glaring double standard in the application of the law, where government officials appear to operate above the very rules they impose on the populace. Once again the flagstaff investigation unit cleared her.

The NPP’s administration has also been accused of usurping authority across state organisations, including the judiciary. The ongoing tension between the executive and judiciary branches has manifested in instances where the executive has received bills but has refused to assent to them, raising concerns about the separation of powers and the rule of law in Ghana.

As these scandals continue to unfold, many Ghanaians are left wondering how a government that once promised to uphold integrity and accountability has devolved into one where the wrong seems to be gradually becoming the right. The NPP’s confusing contradictions and its apparent normalization of corruption stand in stark contrast to the democratic ideals that many citizens hold dear.

In a country where the voices of its people should reign supreme, the actions of the NPP government serve as a chilling reminder of the fragility of democracy and the importance of vigilance in the face of corruption (Oliver Baker and Ama Governor. As we navigate this tumultuous period, the question remains: will the citizens rise to reclaim their rights, or will the normalization of corruption continue to undermine the very foundations of the Ghana?

As Ghana moves toward the next election, the electorate will undoubtedly be watching closely, weighing the promises of the NPP against the backdrop of a troubling record that has left many disillusioned. The future of Ghana hangs in the balance, and the need for accountability has never been more urgent.

It is time to resign the confused contradicts