Ghana – Demostration over institutional corruption “Yegye ye sika demo” – Support from the diaspora

Embezzlement of public funds by civil servants and government officials in Ghana seems to have reached an all-time high. This canker has pervaded the fabric of public sector institutions, posing grave repercussions for the socio-economic growth of the country. Most citizens lost faith in the previous government, due to its inability to counter this problem because of the intense political influence on the country’s judicial system.

This necrotic problem seems to be almost impossible to salvage, hence eradicating the challenge calls for radical steps such as promulgation of coherent strategies championed by the citizenry, especially the youth. A section of Ghanaians from all over the world travelled to Ghana last year, purposely to vote for change because of the various corrupt practices in the country. This is the time to experience the change in corruption trend of our motherland.

The “yegye ye sika” demonstration (demo), meaning “we are taking back our money”, was a quest to reinforce the need for enforcing the laws of the country and drum home the fact that the interest of our nation Ghana, supersedes that of any political party. This compelling cause led by Captain Smart of Adom FM and his team deserves commendation from Ghanaians across the world, as they truly exercised their rights as citizens in demanding transparency, probity and accountability through peaceful presentation of their grievances to the appropriate office.

These guys candidly acted as citizens and not spectators to support the call by His Excellency President Nana Akufo Addo to fight against corruption in our homeland, Ghana.

Captain Smart, you have full support from well-meaning Ghanaians from USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, China, Australia, Turkey, Chile, Poland, etc. Most of these patriotic Ghanaians are academicians and professionals, including professors, academic doctors, medical doctors, pharmacists, lawyers, business owners, nurses, etc.  Key people among them are Captain Billy, an NPP member at Georgia, USA and John Duah, an NDC member at California, USA.  We don’t see any political affiliation in what your team did. “Ye ma mo ayekoooooooooo”!

Ghanaians abroad, especially those in USA, express our profound gratitude to all participants involved in this historical demonstration, as the documents submitted to EOCO would serve as a solid foundation to invigorate the investigations into the corrupt activities of over 600 ex-public officials from both NDC and NPP governments since 1992. In order to regain the trust of the people, EOCO as an investigative institution should conduct thorough investigations and interrogations into these matters and act professionally without fear or favour.

Also, the Attorney General should expedite the prosecution of all culprits found guilty of any form of financial malfeasance to restore lost confidence in its department as an independent and truthful institution. Many citizens get disappointed when the core institutions with mandate to curb this menace, such as EOCO, BNI, CHRAJ and the justice department, are undermined by the scourge of corruption.

We pray that the evidence presented in the petition are credible and adequate enough to justify the retrieval, prosecution and subsequent imprisonment of the people listed in the submitted documents.

Of course, some of the people cited in the petition letter may deny the allegations but the evidence from the Auditor General’s reports, coupled with other relevant information will determine the validity of the claims. It is true that ideology often overrules the evidence but I strongly believe that the demo organizers conducted thorough investigations before they embarked on this courageous move, which will benefit all Ghanaians.

This action is a manifestation that the youth are ready to change the status quo of Ghana’s socio-economic management, especially as the corruption claims cut across both NDC and NPP ex-officials. It is sad how public officials exploit their positions to amass wealth at the detriment of the poor ordinary Ghanaian.

The create, loot and share syndrome must stop in our homeland Ghana. Much appreciation goes to the EOCO boss, his team and the Greater Accra regional police command for their cooperation in making this peaceful demo a reality.

The estimated US$1.2 billion could be used to solve various problems in the country and it is amazing how individuals could “pocket” such huge sums of money. The most aggravating aspect is how most of these “public thieves” invest the money elsewhere, to the detriment of the Ghanaian economy.

Most Ghanaians in the diaspora I discussed this issue with, shared the following view, directed at EOCO and the AG for anyone found guilty of embezzlement as determined by the laws of Ghana:

▪ Retrieval of all money with interest, reflecting BOG burrowing rate at the time of embezzlement.

▪ Freezing of bank accounts and confiscation of assets, both home and abroad, equivalent in value to the stolen money with interest.

▪ Prosecution and imprisonment of those found guilty should be a must, with additional jail terms for those who are unable to refund their “booty” in full.

What shall it profit an official if he/she loots money, payback later with high interest and serve a jail term as well? These steps, we believe, if followed through can gradually arrest the worsening thievery in Ghana, as it will serve as a deterrent to current and future young Ghanaians who enter politics purposely to loot from the public purse. It will create a climate of disenchantment, despair and fear in terms of embezzlement.

Sanction mechanisms for corruption should work in the country without any political influence as it happens in the western world. Ghanaians abroad strongly believe that severe punishments will bring the repetitive create, loot and share headache to an abrupt end. God bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation great and strong!

Solomon K. A. Owusu

Denver, Colorado, USA

Email: oaksolo@yahoo.com