NPP statement on President Mills is ridiculous

The Ghana Development Centre [GhDC], a pro-democracy and economic think tank, has described as ridiculous and shameful, the claim by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) that President J. E. A. Mills is refusing to expose criminals the party alleges offered him bribe.

“We find that claim very ridiculous because the President has neither stated anywhere that he has been bribed nor has he said that he will not expose criminals. It is also true that Mr. Kwame Pianim did not say that the President was bribed.”

The Centre said in a statement issued in Accra that the NPP appears devastated by the confirmation by one of its own leaders that “John Agyekum Kufuor did very little if at all to fight corruption let alone setting an example to his appointees during his tenure.”

The statement noted that Mr. Pianim's endorsement should be a lesson to all Mills appointees that they must be bold to reject gifts and "thank yous‟ from persons who come to visit them, which is what the Centre believes, President Mills did.

That singular act, the statement explained, "indicates to people that you do not need their freebies before seeing them or doing what is required in the interest of the State."

It commended Mr. Pianim describing as one of the few who have over the years, despite their political affiliations, recognized the need to objectively contribute to Ghana's democratic agenda. “Indeed, Mr. Pianim is not the first to extol the president's qualities.

Many others have done that before him, including the good people of Ghana who rejected the unaccountable NPP administration for the NDC led by Professor J. E. A. Mills”, the statement noted.

It observed that the NPP's reaction is a panic one and reflects how the positive recognition of the President has badly affected the credibility of President John Kufuor and the NPP.

The Centre also cautioned the NPP that “there is no way the NPP or John Kufuor would score higher than the NDC and J. E. A Mills on the issue of corruption” adding that the honesty, credibility, integrity, incorruptible and trustworthy outlook of the President cannot be dented by them.

The GhDC said it recognizes the endorsement of President Mills by Mr. Pianim as a challenge not to disappoint the people of Ghana, noting that President Mills must not display the pathetic attitude of the NPP and John Kufuor in the fight against corruption. “Apart from a smooth transition of power from one government to another, one of the strongest indicators that democracy has come to stay is when opposition elements freely and openly speak the truth about their opponents.

"Though Mr. Pianim's comment follows a tall list of others who have celebrated the honesty, and unflinching commitment of the President to the fight against corruption, it is significant that it came from a leading opposition figure.”

The Centre entreated appointees of the Mills administration to take a cue from the President who does not take per diem, abhors ostentatious lifestyle and refuses to be corrupted by anybody to ensure that their activities and actions are above reproach.

The statement reminded the NPP that Mr. Pianim‟s statement nails forever any defence the former President, John Kufuor has for failing to fight corruption, and which formed the basis for the NPP‟s rejection at the 2008 polls.

Credit: GhDC