Pope Francis once said, "reject every form of corruption that diverts resources from the poor". Pope Francis said this with the knowledge that corruption is a serious canker that has eaten so deep into the fabrics of our societies.
Corruption is at the heart of most of our current problems in Ghana and the world at large. In fact, it destroys jobs as well as holds back growth, costing the country millions of hard-earned cedis/dollars, day in day out. It steals and denies the hard-working people and poor persons from getting resources that are rightfully theirs. Corruption adversely affect every aspect of our lives ranging from spiritual, educational, social to our economy.
It is quite obvious that tackling corruption is not a one man affair and that explains why the president, His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has always called on all Ghanaians to be active citizens and not mere spectators. The president has also called on all of us to work collaboratively with the government of the day to help eradicate it. It is also in this same light that the president is setting up the office of the independent prosecutor.
Renowned Journalists like Anas Aremeyaw Anas and Manasseh Awuni Azure have also tried their best by exposing some corrupt practices in the Judiciary, Ports and Harbours, GYEEDA and SADA. Nevertheless, some individuals and agencies still perpetuate this evil act despite their tireless efforts to get it halted or minimised to the barest minimum.
Some few days ago, we heard the strange news of the disappearance of some 4,100 bags of government subsidised fertilizers meant for poor farmers in the Sissala East and West Districts of the upper West Region. Various news portals also said that over 10,000 government subsidised fertilisers were missing from the Upper West Region. We were fortunate to have this exposure through the Upper West Deputy Regional Minister, Mr.Amidu Chinnia Issahaku. Unequivocally, the minister stated that out of 4,700 bags of subsidised fertilizers supplied by companies on behalf of government to an agent in Tumu to be distributed to farmers, only 600 bags were confirmed sold to the farmers. This created shortages of fertilisers in the system making the poor farmers to suffer.
Apparently, one can attest to the fact that these individuals are thwarting government's efforts despite government's good intention of reducing the cost of production for the ordinary people who are poor. Indeed, this act could have gone unnoticeable if not for the minister's timely exposure. Interestingly, the questions some might be asking are: who are the perpetrators? What has been done to them? what measures have been taken to avoid some of these acts in the region? As much as we sought answers to some of these pressing questions, let's bear in mind that fighting corruption in the region and our country at large is a shared responsibility. One person can't fight it alone. The Deputy Upper West Regional Minister can't be a lone wolf in this fight. Every citizen in the region should become patriotic in the true sense and should be ready to expose some of these acts. We should give preference to the development of our region. We should sympathise with our poor farmers and help them when government supports them with poverty alleviation programmes.
The media should also dedicate their service and cooperate with individuals to eradicate some these corrupt acts that has been slowing down the growth of this region. Since the Upper West region shares boundaries with Burkina Faso, it will be very prudent if the government send security forces to beef up the already existing ones who seems to be incapable in handling the current situation. Sending in the army will be very good. The security agencies in and around the borders should always be on high alert to prevent this corrupt practices and smuggling of subsidised fertilisers to the neighboring country.
Let me once again use this opportunity to thank Mr. Amidu Chinnia Issahaku, the Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, and all those who supported him in exhibiting such a dedicated, patriotic and diligent service to the good people of the region. We shall continue to support them in every move they take.
I would like to also use this podium to admonish my fellow citizens in the region and our country as well to always support the government in dealing with such evil acts.
We often blame the government for their failure in checking corruption. But it is time to realize that it is more a question of public morality, of individual conscience and initiative than efficient administration to eradicate all such vices.
Abass Musah Tonduogu
0208377521
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