There is a pressing need for a bipartisan committee in Parliament to investigate the recent revelations of corruption and financial mismanagement related to the African Games. The conflicting figures emerging from the Ministry of Sport and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) are both unfortunate and perplexing.
Hon. Sanja Nanja, the Member of Parliament for the Atebubu/Amantin Constituency, made this statement on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra. He emphasized that a thorough investigation is necessary, as discrepancies in figures reported by major state institutions undermine public trust in the government’s credibility. He noted that the conflicting data from the Public Accounts Committee sends a troubling signal about the government’s reliability.
Nanja also praised the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for his firm stance on not signing the peace pact. He believes this position is justified and commendable, especially as it highlights the need to address past electoral violence. He argued that justice should be pursued for those who have suffered from such violence and are still dealing with its aftermath, including medical treatment for injuries sustained.
According to Nanja, the effectiveness of any peace pact hinges on the government’s willingness to act on recommendations from committees focused on election-related violence. Addressing these recommendations is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the peace process.
In a related development, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Chairman of the NDC, has reaffirmed the party’s decision not to commit to any peace pact ahead of the 2024 General Elections. Nketia has outlined six conditions, including the requirement for key figures like the President and the Inspector-General of Police to sign the pact. This stance underscores the NDC’s emphasis on accountability and the implementation of previous recommendations, such as those resulting from the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence.
Nketia’s position indicates that the NDC prioritizes electoral integrity, thorough investigations into past violence, and addressing issues such as missing IT equipment from the Electoral Commission’s warehouse as prerequisites for engaging in any peace agreements. This firm stance suggests that the NDC is focused on ensuring justice and enacting reforms before participating in future peace processes.
Meanwhile, the National Peace Council, led by Maulvi Mohammed Bin Salih, is working to foster cooperation and trust among political parties to ensure peaceful elections. Despite this, Nketia’s call for action and accountability reflects the NDC’s commitment to resolving past grievances before moving forward with any peace pact.
This sets the stage for potentially intense negotiations as the 2024 elections approach.
Story by: Alexander Kukah
