Thirty-four Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and ten individuals have formed a coalition to fight against the unbearable social economic and governance challenges facing the country.
The CSOs include the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), Ghana Centre for Democratic Development CDD-(Ghana), Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), IMANI Africa, Star-Ghana, Send Ghana, Trades Union Congress (TUC), Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG), Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC), West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) and OXFAM.
The individuals are Akoto Ampaw, Martin Kpebu, Samson Lardy Anyenini, Clara Kasser-Tay, Prof. Kwame Karikari, Prof. Manuh, Kingsley Offei, Kofi Abotsi, Prof. Godfred Bopkin and Abdulkarim Mahammand.
The group, which comes under the name ‘Coalition for Democratic Accountability and Inclusive Governance’ said at its maiden press conference in Accra recently, that their formation was necessitated by the pressing and prevailing socio-economic and political difficulties facing Ghanaians.
A statement presented on behalf of the Coalition by the Director of WACSI, Nana Asantewa Afedzinu, was to the effect that the group’s interest covers a wide range of issues, including accountability and transparency, and youth employment and capacity building.
Others are living wage for working people, social economic equity, freedom of expression and dissent, respect of fundamental human rights, equitable distribution of social and economic resources, and gender equality and equity. One of the key areas the statement highlighted on was corruption in public places.
In respect of this, Mrs. Afedzinu stated that the Coalition found it disheartening how the current Auditor General had not been as vibrant as his predecessor, Daniel Domelovo, who was ousted after recovering GH¢66 million for the state through surcharges.
She warned that “if the Auditor General persists in ignoring his clear Constitutional mandate, affirmed by the Supreme Court, our Coalition will take the necessary action to ensure that he complies with the Constitution of Ghana.”
Mr. Afedzinu also commented with worry on corruption at the Public Procurement Authority (PPA), the Forestry Commission, and the wanton disregard by some public office holders to declare their assets. According to her, the current asset and liability disclosure regime of the country was too porous, hence, failed to project the ideas for which it was put in place.
She also seized the opportunity to welcome the inauguration of the board of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for the fight against corrupt politicians to be realised. The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyemang, was also called upon to deal promptly with a number of legacy cases handed over to him by Martin Amidu, his predecessor.
Mrs. Afedzinu stressed the need for the government to halt all negotiations towards the implementation of the Agyapa deal for a more thorough public engagement and scrutiny. She further added that the Coalition also welcomed the Speaker of Parliament’s ruling, which tasked the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health and Finance to look into the Covid-19 funds.
The Coalition welcomed the passage into law of the Affirmative Action Bill, which had been on the shelf since 2011. “The Coalition will share with the people of Ghana our thoughts and demands on other pertinent issues, including the critical challenges with the economy (including youth unemployment), education, health, internal security and the potential threats of terrorism, among others. We shall also share with you a series of activities and engagements we have planned, so you join us to create the society and the Ghana we desire and deserve,” she said.
