We are using small flies as scape goats and leaving corrupt top officials – Domelevo
Former Auditor General, Daniel Domelevo, has identified key challenges hindering Ghana’s pursuit of a corruption-free system.
He emphasized that while the country has the necessary institutions and capable personnel, the critical missing element is effective leadership in the fight against corruption.
mR Domelevo highlighted the pivotal role that leadership plays in shaping the trajectory of anti-corruption initiatives. He argued that strong leadership sends a powerful message throughout the system, influencing the overall approach to combating corruption.
To illustrate his point, Domelevo pointed to Singapore’s successful anti-corruption campaign led by Lee Kuan Yew. He stressed the importance of addressing corruption at its roots, specifically targeting high-ranking officials responsible for the misappropriation, theft, and mismanagement of public funds.
“We’re holding the bull by its tail. We are looking for small flies to use as examples in our fight against corruption, instead of holding the top officials accountable,” he said on JoyNews’ PM Express.
Expressing apprehension about the weakening state of the Office of the Auditor-General, Mr. Domelevo attributed the decline in effectiveness to actions taken against him by the President.
He suggested that the measures directed at him have created a climate of fear among personnel, inhibiting their ability to pursue public officials vigorously. The fear of potential repercussions akin to what he experienced seems to have cast a shadow over the office’s operations.
Mr. Domelevo also commented on the suboptimal performance of the Office of the Special Prosecutor. He pointed to frequent political interference as a significant obstacle hampering its functionality.
“The environment and the frequent political interference do not allow [the Office of the Special Prosecutor] to function the way that it should,” he said on Tuesday.
Ghana’s standing in the latest Corruption Perceptions Index reflects a lack of progress, with the country maintaining its position as 70th out of 180 countries.
The index, which measures perceived levels of corruption, awarded Ghana a score of 43 out of a possible 100. Notably, this score has remained constant since 2020.
tigpost.co
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