I’m not going to be a ‘clearing agent’ President – Mahama assures
Location: Akosombo, Eastern Region, Ghana
In a significant address at the 3rd Annual Lawyers Conference of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Akosombo, former President John Dramani Mahama made a resolute commitment to hold appointees accountable for corruption during his potential future presidency.
His statement comes as a response to ongoing concerns about corruption in Ghana’s political landscape.
Mahama emphasized that if elected, his administration would refrain from interfering in corruption investigations and would instead rely on constitutionally mandated institutions to handle such cases.
“We have our work cut out for us when it comes to the Executive,” he stated, addressing the need to rebuild trust in Ghana’s leadership.
The former president’s words were perceived as a direct reference to the current president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who has faced accusations of shielding corrupt appointees, leading to the tag of a ‘clearing agent’ presidency.
In a recent incident involving the former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, who resigned amid allegations of misappropriation of funds, President Akufo-Addo expressed faith in her integrity. This statement drew criticism from those who believed it could influence ongoing investigations.
The ‘clearing agent’ label has been applied to President Akufo-Addo due to his perceived tendency to absolve appointees accused of corruption-related offenses.
President Mahama’s declaration at the NDC conference was seen as a strong signal of his commitment to a more transparent and accountable government if he returns to office. He stressed that he would not play the role of a ‘clearing agent’ president and would allow independent constitutional bodies to carry out investigations into corruption allegations.
During his presidency, President Akufo-Addo defended his approach to corruption allegations, emphasizing that his role was to refer such cases to appropriate investigative agencies for impartial inquiries.
He argued that the clearance or conviction of accused individuals was determined by the findings and recommendations of these agencies, not by executive interference.
As Ghana’s political landscape continues to grapple with issues of corruption and accountability, former President Mahama’s remarks signal a commitment to a different approach if he returns to the presidency in the future.
His stance aligns with the expectations of many Ghanaians who demand transparency and accountability in their government.
The upcoming elections will provide Ghanaians with an opportunity to decide the direction their country will take in addressing corruption and ensuring accountability among public officials.
