The arrest of former Presidential Staffer and New Patriotic Party (NPP) communicator Dennis Miracles Aboagye by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) over allegations of financial impropriety has continued to generate public debate, with the NPP describing the move as politically motivated while the government insists the investigations are part of efforts to recover misappropriated state funds.
Reacting to the development, Governance Advocate with the Good Governance Advocacy Group Ghana, Listowel Nana Poku, said Ghanaians should focus on accountability rather than political considerations whenever public funds are alleged to have been misappropriated.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s Adekyee Mu Nsem programme with Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra, Nana Poku said every act of theft involving public resources denies citizens critical development projects.
According to him, the amount allegedly misappropriated in the case could have financed the construction of about 25 CHPS compounds or covered nearly 50 percent of the cost of building a modern polyclinic.
He said there is nothing wrong with citizens demanding accountability, insisting that public officials entrusted with state resources must be prepared to account for their stewardship.
Nana Poku criticised some NPP members for defending former appointees facing investigations instead of allowing state institutions to carry out their constitutional mandate. He urged the government not to be intimidated by political pressure but to continue pursuing accountability for all former public officials accused of wrongdoing.
He also expressed concern about delays in prosecuting corruption-related cases, arguing that the Attorney-General should expedite prosecutions while the proposed tribunal should be established without further delay to ensure alleged looters of state resources are brought to justice.
Touching on the previous administration, Nana Poku alleged that former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo could not fully account for a significant portion of funds received during his tenure and said the state must investigate every allegation of financial misconduct irrespective of political affiliation.
He further questioned the decision by the Ghana Police Service to permit the NPP’s protest over Miracles Aboagye’s arrest, arguing that the Public Order Act must be enforced fairly for all political parties.
On claims by some NPP members that President John Dramani Mahama intends to seek a third term in office, Nana Poku dismissed the allegation, saying the President has never publicly expressed such an intention.
He also maintained that comparisons between the current Supreme Court and previous courts are misplaced and called on all political actors to respect state institutions and allow due process to take its course.
Story by Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah | Ahotor FM | Accra