The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the fight against corruption, insisting that efforts to hold public officials accountable should not be misconstrued as attempts to intimidate the Minority in Parliament.
Addressing the House during a recent parliamentary sitting, Ayariga lamented the perceived rise in corruption and the lack of accountability among individuals accused of misappropriating state funds.
He expressed dismay that many of those implicated in corruption scandals continue to enjoy freedom while boldly criticizing the government.
“Why are all those thieves who stole this country’s money, and you saw it, still walking in the streets and having the effrontery to be saying the things that they are saying?” he queried.
Recounting a personal encounter, the Majority Leader said he was confronted by a hotel cleaner who demanded that Parliament live up to the expectations of ordinary Ghanaians by intensifying the fight against corruption.
“He looked me straight in the face and said, ‘Leader, we voted for you people to fight corruption.’ That moment reminded me of the public’s deep frustration with this issue,” Ayariga shared.
He stressed that corruption poses one of the gravest threats to Ghana’s democracy, citing historical precedents where military takeovers were justified by claims of rampant corruption within civilian governments.
“Mr. Speaker, if we don’t hold each other accountable and fight corruption, there is no greater threat to democracy than failing to fight corruption,” Ayariga warned. “Those of you who know the history of this country, go and check the records anytime that a democracy has been overthrown, the first reason that the military dictatorship gives is that there was massive corruption and they were not fighting corruption.”
The Majority Leader concluded by emphasizing that decisive action against corruption remains essential to preserving Ghana’s democratic gains and ensuring socio-economic progress.
“So we will continue to fight corruption,” he declared, “and if this resolve is being misinterpreted as an attempt to intimidate the Minority, so be it.”
Source: www.Kumasimail.com
