Let's broaden anti-corruption spotlight beyond politicians — Afenyo-Markin

Member of Parliament for Effutu and Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has bemoaned the sole targeting of politicians in the fight against corruption, which often renders the crusade ineffective.

To achieve tangible results, the Minority Leader said the anti-graft agencies must look beyond the political class and hold all individuals with unexplained wealth accountable.

Speaking as a review lecturer during the Constitution Day public lecture organised by the One Ghana Movement in collaboration with the UPSA School of Law, held in Accra on Friday, February 28, the lawmaker says the fight against corruption must be felt at all levels.

The Minority Leader further noted that while some politicians may resort to other means to acquire wealth, it is often driven by the unending financial demands from the public and constituents.

“I have observed that we narrow the issue of corruption and limit it to the political class, but perhaps we have to broaden it and look at it as part of the general life of all of us as a people. When the government is elected into office, its core function is to do business — to do business with who? The citizens.

“But many politicians, contrary to the view that they are so corrupt, are very poor, especially legislators. You can see them after office, and you wonder. I believe that we can act collectively and be very fair to the issues in my constituency,” the MP noted.

He further explained, “When a chief visits me, the chief is not interested in my salary. He expects that, as he has come, he must not go back empty-handed. When a constituent visits me, a pastor visits me, they expect that I should do something. So perhaps the demands of the office may cause a politician to start thinking of how to survive or how to look for resources to meet a certain purpose as part of our culture.”

Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, who delivered the main lecture, bemoaned that Ghanaians want corruption to be fought but often turn against such efforts depending on who is caught in the web.

"Everyone wants the Special Prosecutor to do his job. Yet no one wants the Special Prosecutor to do his job,” he emphasised.

He said individuals cited for corruption-related offences are not ready to succumb to scrutiny, resulting in pushbacks and death threats.

“The pushback is reflected in so many forms, including the sponsorship of attacks and vile publications against the Special Prosecutor,” he emphasised.