The Clock is Ticking but the Special Prosecutor is Still not into Action

The militating factor against the socio-economic development of Ghana is the masterminding, orchestration, and perpetration of corruption by our elected leaders and all those entrusted with positions in the public sector. Having established the cause of the underdevelopment of Ghana to be the institutional corruption by those from whom we expect better, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo assured Ghanaians of holding the bull by the horn; by his unflinching determination to fight the canker hence seeing to the establishment of the Office of the Special Prosecutor.

He has appointed Hon Martin Amidu, a man of proven integrity, as the Special Prosecutor. The mere mentioning of his name as the nominated candidate for the post, prior to his vetting and final assumption of power or duty made some people quiver. His name sent cold chill down the spine of many a self-perceived corrupt government official of the erstwhile NDC government and would-be corrupt members of the NPP government.

Nevertheless, his appointment has not yielded any fruit let alone, the desired fruits. He has not kicked into action hence some people seeing him as a toothless dog that barks louder but cannot lick let alone, bite. What is going on as the clock is ticking with time flying like a rocket fired into space from its launching pad to explore the outer space? For whatever reason that is deterring him from swinging into desirable or anticipated action, the perceived corrupt NDC officials are more than emboldened to assert their authority and talking louder as though, they are still in government and are untouchable. Also, those in NPP with love of acquiring quick money in their genes may have started indulging in corrupt practices for after all, the Office of the Special Prosecutor is just in name, therefore, a white elephant.

Let me please emphasise to the President and the NPP government that part of their success and appeal to the public hinge on how successfully the Special Prosecutor will perform to curtail the quest of Ghanaian officials to steal from the public purse. Many a Ghanaian, from my interactions with them and information reaching me, voted for NPP and then Presidential-candidate Nana Addo based on his promise to fight corruption with all his might and whatever it takes. They could see him as a man of his words and an incorruptible man who does what he says, or simply put, walks his talks.

However, their positive expectations of him, according to what some people are saying, are turning into disappointments. The Special Prosecutor has not even arraigned a housefly let alone, a corrupt human being. The challenges some of the President’s implemented policies are facing, amid the accusatory nepotism reflected in his government appointments, making all his promises a mockery in the eyes of his political rivals, everything will pale to nothing with the successful work of prosecuting and convicting corrupt government and public sector officials. Failure to do that, the NPP is doomed, to be honest with Ghanaians. Things are not all that rosy, to be honest with the leadership of NPP.

Some people for what they stand to gain have chosen to be bootlickers. Others for the fear of losing their appointments, are not telling the President the truth about the bad feelings of many Ghanaians toward him for not as yet dealt with the corrupt officials, as well as not translated some of his promises into actions.

The only thing that can boost the credibility and acceptance of the President to the people within the margin preceding Election 2016 is how seriously and successfully the Special Prosecutor discharges the duties of his office without any further delay. His successful prosecution will boost the credibility of Ghana in the eyes of the world thereby attracting foreign investors. This is because the infatuation with corruption by our leaders is enough to ward off investors or attract them only to come to short-change Ghana. Killing corruption by the successful prosecution of offenders will culminate in not only the economic recovery of Ghana, but its success thereby enhancing the chances of the development of Ghana and by extension the chances of NPP in every endeavours of theirs.

"Procrastination is the thief of time" . The quicker the Special Prosecutor starts cracking his whip at the back of the corrupt officials, much the better for Ghana. Ghanaians cannot have power exchanging hands between two corrupt political parties. Such a situation may breed a fertile ground to tempt the "Abongo Boys" to step in to usurp power but that is the scary thing Ghana does not want to see again, concluding from the AFRC and PNDC eras under Chairman Jerry John Rawlings.

You can hate me for telling the truth, I don’t care, because it is said, you don’t kill the messenger.

"A word to the wise is enough"
With God, we are victorious.
Rockson Adofo