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14.08.2014 Politics

Check unprecedented corruption, opulence in gov't; Rawlings charges Mahama

By Myjoyonline.com|Nathan Gadugah
Check unprecedented corruption, opulence in gov't; Rawlings charges Mahama
14.08.2014 LISTEN

President John Rawlings has described as appalling the unprecedented levels of corruption in the country and has charged the president to deal with it.

Speaking at an honorary ceremony at the University of Education, Winneba, Thursday, the ex-president said it is time for John Mahama to show a clear commitment to fighting corruption in the country.

"Our leaders must be able to play by the book. People with conscience are sometimes appalled by the extreme insensitivity displayed by some political appointees. The unprecedented levels of corruption, offensive show of power and opulence by some at a time when our country requires prudence and frugality is something that I call on President Mahama and his vice to set their eyes on,"

"The people need to see a sign that government is seriously committed to cleaning up [the] house so they can follow suit.

"We cannot fight the various forms of corruption if we do not take on leaders and so-called untouchables who have sought to institutionalize corruption.

               "We need to restore Ghana to a status of a country worth dying for," he stated  to a rousing round of applause by dignitaries, students, and officials of the University of Education, who later conferred honorary awards on President John Rawlings, Abdul Salam Abubkar, former president of Nigeria and Prof Jophus Anamua-Mensah, first principal of the University.

While still believing that the leaders have a responsibility to fight corruption and improve on the general standards of living of all Ghanaians, the ex-president said individual Ghanaians have a moral duty to remain incorruptible.

"Remove the log in your own eyes," he said to Ghanaians before attempting to correct a corrupt leader, he added.

            
The Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah Arthur who was also at the ceremony was full of praise for the ex-president for the significant role he played in Ghana's education.

He said Mr Rawlings' passion of education was demonstrated in many ways through the the reforms at the basic level that commenced in 1987 and the tertiary reforms that led to the creation of the University of Education and other universities across the country.

He said Mr Rawlings and the two other leaders who received the honorary doctorate degrees were men of courage whose credentials must be learnt by all.

He said all Ghanaians must "take a cue from them and make significant strides in places you find yourself today."

              

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