The presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has announced plans to establish a special Auditor-General Court to facilitate the recovery of embezzled and misappropriated funds flagged in the Auditor-General’s annual reports.
Speaking to NDC supporters and chiefs in the New Juaben North constituency in Eastern Region Wednesday, Mr. Mahama stated that the proposed court would work in collaboration with the Chief Justice’s office to ensure accountability and deter financial malfeasance.
He decried that between GHS13 billion and GHS15 billion cedis is wasted annually due to irregularities and corruption in the Auditor-General’s reports, which he described as unacceptable.
“Every year in the Auditor General’s report 13 to 15 billion cedis are embezzled. If we had prevented this waste we wouldn’t have gone to IMF for a $3 million bailout because if you calculate the total losses in 3 years we would have saved 60 billion cedis hence there would have been no need to go to IMF. If the NDC resumes power, we would appoint a Chief Justice to establish a court that is Auditor General’s Court to prosecute anyone indicted in the Auditor General’s report for recovery”, Mahama said.
John Mahama criticized the Akufo-Addo administration for failing to act on corruption and various scandals including PDS calling the president a “clearing agent” who shields wrongdoers.
He vowed that his government would investigate and recover all looted state funds.
The former president reiterated his concerns about the controversial National Cathedral project, accusing the Akufo-Addo government of diverting $58 million of public funds into the project.
He promised to launch a thorough investigation into the financial dealings surrounding the cathedral to ensure accountability.
The Chief of Effiduase Okoawia Dwomo Baabu in a speech read on his behalf endorsed the NDC’s 24 -hour Economy Policy stating that it will help create job opportunities for the youth.
On his part, the parliamentary candidate of the NDC in New Juaben North, Samuel Adongo announced that he has begun initiating three factories including a bag-producing factory which will operate under the 24-hour economy to create jobs for the youth.
He urged voters in the constituency to vote for him accusing the NPP of taking them for granted for the past 30 years since voting for the NPP.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Kojo Ansah