President�s �Democracy Fund� Angers Ghanaians

CORRUPTION IS rife in Ghana, and the John Dramani Mahama-led administration has been heavily criticised for lacking the political will to deal decisively with the cancer which is robbing the state of the needed resources to provide basic amenities for Ghanaians. Political observers have pointed to the suspected corruption surrounding the award of contracts such as SUBAH, the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Agency (GYEEDA) and the many other questionable judgment debts paid to individuals involving millions of the tax payers� money, for which investigations are grudgingly being conducted. Many anti-corruption institutions such as the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) are cash-strapped to undertake any effective investigations into corruption cases. But, President John Dramani Mahama says the passage of the pending constitutional review will help the set-up of the �Democracy Fund� to resource anti-corruption agencies in the country. Yesterday, the President took to his Facebook wall to assure the people of Ghana of his government�s commitment to �rooting out corruption from our system.� According to the President: �We have within us the power to expose corruption on all levels that it may occur, and to demand transparency and accountability from our elected representatives.� The President�s post has, however, received many comments suggesting that there are too many corruption cases in his government, which beg for action. George Donkoh wrote: Give us [a] break Mr. President! We are sick and tired of these gimmicks and talks of yours. Attend to the problems of this nation, and stop the talking. Haba! the nation now seems as if there is no hope for the future. The rich is working tirelessly to take the little the poor has. No sensitivity to the plights of students, the poor, electricity, employments. Everything seems to be crashing, and all what we hear is talk with no action. Corruption in your government is seen as a righteous thing. Expose them, prosecute them, and stop creating institutions that will use up the little revenue you claim the country is left with. Philip Agyekum said: �Mr. President, setting up an institution is one thing, and empowering the institution is different too; our problem is how to empower these institutions to do their work.� Asuo Abraham Yantwumba also wrote: �Mr. Prez, if you really mean it, then approve the RIGHT TO INFORMATION BILL. How can these institutions get information to fish out dubious deals without you approving this bill; this fund will just go like the MEDIA FUND. The RIGHT TO INFORMATION BILL has been long overdue.� Kansuk Dayaki also said: �Corruption is attitudinal, thus, it is not only those in gov�t who are corrupt, but every one of us, especially those who are quick to point accusing fingers at others being the most corrupt.� The President�s post generated nearly 400 comments a few hours after the post, with many venting their anger describing the post as mere rhetoric.