Former President Jerry John Rawlings has expressed concern over the rising spate of corruption in Ghana, saying, the country is saddled with very negative images about the canker.
“Ghana is saddled with some very negative images about corruption, some wrongly perceived, but some convincingly accurate,” he said.
He therefore suggested that “2015 must be a year when the government and people work hand in hand to steer the affairs of the state in a direction that will confront corruption, tackle the economic challenges and instill a sense of dignity and sanity in everything we do.
[contextly_sidebar id=”sLwliRTtNz6rCxWoG4F7ArdDkDau0iHD”]The former President, in a press release to mark the 33rd anniversary of the 31st December Revolution on Wednesday dawn, also emphasized the need for various stakeholders in the country to “confront and tackle the destructive pattern of ethnicism and nepotism that has crept back into our national political life before it does the incurable damage and strangles social cohesion.”
“We cannot afford to be pessimistic.We all have a responsibility. Pointing fingers, but choosing to sit on the fence is cowardly, defeatist and unpatriotic,” Rawlings added.
He further admonished govermnment to listen to the woes of Ghanaians and never be oblivious to their challenges
He believes that Ghana will make a headway in its political, economic and social development if Ghanaians “shirk the narrow-minded approach to all matters concerning the well-being of our community and country.”
“There must be a heightened sense of nationalism and a genuine desire to fight for the good of Ghana.”
This is not the first time the former President has raised concerns over corruption in the country.
In August 2014, former President Jerry John Rawlings asked President Mahama show a clear commitment to the fight against corruption by addressing the unprecedented levels of corruption within his government.
”… . People with conscience are sometimes appalled by the extreme insensitivity displayed by some political appointees. The unprecedented levels of corruption, offensive show of power and opulence by some at a time when our country requires prudence and frugality is something that I call on President Mahama and his vice to set their eyes on,’’ he said.
By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana