Corruption is now everywhere, seen in lifestyles of government officials — Domelevo laments

Corruption has become endemic and reached alarming proportions across all sectors of Ghanaian society, according to former Auditor General Daniel Yao Domelevo.

In an interview with Accra-based JoyNews on Friday, July 19, Mr. Domelevo warned that corruption is now "near and everywhere" in the country, as evidenced by the lavish lifestyles of many government officials.

"Look everywhere you will see corruption. You don’t need to look far. Look at the lifestyle of people in government. Some have worked for government and toiled all their years, but even getting a square meal a day is a challenge for them," he said.

Mr. Domelevo cited several examples of alleged corruption, including the $2 million paid to a South African company for a sky train project that was never completed, as well as claims that Ghana has dug the "most expensive hole in human history."

"All that we hear is that about 2 million dollars thereabout has been paid to a South African company, which is to give us a sky train, which never happened. All that you hear is that Ghana has dug the most expensive hole in human history. So the evidence is there. This is not rhetoric. This is not perception," he stated.

The former Auditor General warned that successive Ghanaian governments have been embroiled in a "race" of corruption that is pushing levels to new heights.

"They know that the level to which they have taken the corruption is alarming," he said. "In fact, successive governments seem to be running a marathon or race in corruption, and what is here is that almost every government takes it to the higher level, but the level to which it is now is terrible."

Mr. Domelevo stressed that immediate action must be taken to address the problem of corruption, including prosecuting corrupt officials. Otherwise, Ghana's future is at risk.

"It is not sustainable, and I think something must be done quickly," he emphasized.