Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has lambasted the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government, stating that it has witnessed the most scandals in Ghana’s history.
Speaking in Parliament on Monday, January 6, ahead of the dissolution of the 8th Parliament, Dr. Forson highlighted several scandals that marred the NPP government’s tenure.
Dr. Forson alleged that the government mismanaged funds meant to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also cited the corruption and mismanagement that characterized the hosting of the 13th African Games.
Furthermore, he claimed that the government was involved in a massive scandal involving ghost names on the National Service payroll, which cost the state GHS500 million.
Additionally, Dr. Forson alleged that the government attempted to sell off state hotels to a cabinet minister. He also stated that the government allowed a free-for-all grabbing of state lands.
Dr. Forson expressed concerns about the erosion of the independence of critical state institutions, which he claimed were filled with partisan elements. He alleged that journalists who exposed corruption were subjected to brutal crackdowns, and dissenting voices were silenced.
He said, “Scandals became a daily occurrence as we were treated to blatant abuse of office and plundered the public purse. Misuse of Covid-19 funds, the malfeasance that characterised the 13th African Games, the GHS500 million National Service ghost names scandal, the brazen attempts to shell-out state hotels to a cabinet minister and the free-for-all grabbing of state lands are but a few of recent scandals that were highlighted and brought to public attention by the NDC Minority.”
“Mr. Speaker, we also had to contend with the erosion of the independence of critical state institutions. Many of these institutions were filled with partisan elements who undermined due process to please the regime in power. Journalists who exposed corruption were subjected to brutal crackdowns, and dissenting voices were silenced.”
