Demonstrators Want Stolen Cash Retrieved

Thousands of livid protestors, who took part in the 'Yegye ye sika demo', led by Adom FM's Captain Smart, have charged the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to reinvestigate, arrest, prosecute and retrieve all embezzled state funds from officials who have stolen money from the state's coffers.

The petition was contained in documents presented to the EOCO last Friday, in a move to, as civil society, support and back EOCO to deal with corrupt officials.

Presenting the documents outside the office of EOCO, Captain Smart told officials of Office that when their outfit had the support and backing of civil society, it would be able to do something meaningful about such issues.

He expressed worry over the living conditions of most Ghanaians, especially, the youth, who have no jobs, because there is no money in the country to create jobs, while heads of state institutions fill their pockets from the state coffers through dubious means.

“Our young guys are dying for lack of jobs. Mothers are dying. Fathers are running away from homes, not because they are irresponsible, but because some people have taken our moneys.

“The money that belongs to us. The money that could be used to develop this country. I do not understand why every administration would have to go and borrow money, before Ghana would be developed,” he remarked.

The campaign against corruption amongst state officials has taken a different dimension, as people travelled from far and near to be part of the demonstration on the streets of Accra last Friday.

Clad in red and black apparel and chanting war songs, the protestors walked from the former Obra Spot at the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange in Accra, through to the premises of the EOCO, adjacent National Lottery, to present documents containing instances of financial malfeasance cited by the Auditor General in its report.

The over 300 documents, some of which the leaders of the demonstration had to buy, captured reports on taxpayers' moneys that went into the private pockets of state officials.

The demonstration was borne out of numerous reports of corruption discussed by Captain Smart on Dwaso Nsem, a morning show on Adom FM, specifically on a segment called Fabewoso (bring it on).

“Today, these documents contain [an] embezzled amount of US$1.2 billion. I am presenting these documents to you and your outfit. The names are there, re-investigate, arrest and prosecute and take our moneys for us,” Captain Smart noted.

The Deputy Executive Director at EOCO, Nana Antwi, receiving the documents from the demonstrators, commended their move to support investigative bodies to fight crime.

He assured the leaders of the demonstration of a diligent job from his outfit on the documents, citing that EOCO has the full support of higher authority to pursue the agenda.

“You've made a very touchy statement (he told Captain Smart). The fact that civil society realises the need to support investigative bodies in the fight against crime. In fact, it is very cardinal.

“We've taken possession of the materials you've given us, and which could be a very good basis of enquiry and investigation. We can only assure you that we will do a very decent, diligent investigation.

“In fact, you are equally assured that EOCO has the support of higher authority to push this agenda, and we will do just that,” Nana Antwi concluded.

A development during the demonstration, which was out of the ordinary, was that chiefs and pastors were part of it.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Chronicle, Nana Adusei Amankwah Marfo III, Abontengdonhene of Akyem Odawu, said, he took part in the demonstration, because it was time the country stood against any act that would have a negative impact on the country, such as corruption.

According to him: “Ghana could do more if we have very good, selfless leaders to steer the affairs of the country. It is time to name, arrest and shame.”

He advised EOCO to work diligently, or “they would be kicked out,” adding that “the country belongs to us, and not EOCO.”

Archbishop Emmanuel Yeboah Mensah of Miracle Throne Mission also told this paper that it was sad how the nation was being robbed by people at the front of government institutions, who take salaries and allowances, but still steal from the state.

“We all have to come on board, and this is not about political issues, it's about we, the citizens, so we have to come on board and campaign against corruption and retrieve the moneys,” he noted.

Captain Smart told journalists, after a closed-door meeting between the leadership of the demonstrators and officials of EOCO, that the latter had given them one week to read through the over 300 documents and get back to them (demonstrators).

By Maxwell Ofori