It’s only called “corruption” when you’re not eating. Once your plate is served, suddenly it becomes “connection”
P.K. Kassim
Incroyable (our French a arrivè) we say in English incredible (unbelievable) Wanted former Minister of Finance? Where is Ofori Atta , now? Who could touch this all white robed Finance Minister, who will quote the Bible as a prelude to every budget presentation “ Josuah and Caleb” showed great faith in the Lord and assured the Israelites they could conquer Canaan and the land with all its good things would be theirs…”
One cannot be enthused in remembering the work of this Finance Minister. In May 2021 at a press conference Ofori Atta announced “ I can say, we are not going to the IMF whatever we do , we are not. Consequences are dire, we are a proud nation, we have the resources, we have the capacity to do whatever we want to do if we speak one language and ensure that we burden-share in the issues ahead”.
In February, 2022, Mr. Ofori Atta was repeating this position ; but in July 2022 the nation had to seek IMF bail-out! The message from the Ministry of Finance was succinct “… subsequent to the directive by the President of the Republic His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, the Ministry of Finance , hereby announces the commencement of engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF or The Fund) to support Ghana’s Economic program” who were the NPP government of Nana Akufo Addo deceiving?
Comes in Kissi Agyebeng as the Special Prosecutor to a “haunted” office. (the Office of Special Prosecutor) a specialised independent anti-corruption agency established by an Act of Parliament to “Investigate and Prosecute acts of corruption and corruption-related offences – also responsible for recovering proceeds of corruption and to take steps to prevent it”.
When the OSP was first established in 2018, Martin Alanisi Burnes Kaiser Amidu a no-nonsense NDC political activist was the first to be named as the Special Prosecutor on 11th January, 2018 – The “gargantuan” man’s anti-corruption fight was touted by Nana Addo as the reason for his choice. He had been the running mate to John Atta Mills in the 2000 presidential elections (they lost to Kufuor). In January 2010, he was appointed Minister of Interior, later Attorney General and Minister of Justice. Then, Amidu was axed by President Mills for “misconduct”
Now, appointed as Special Prosecutor by Nana Addo, Martin promised ” to fight corruption in the country without fear or favour”. On 16th November, 2020, Amidu tendered in his resignation as Special Prosecutor citing political interference by his appointer, President Nana Addo. In the letter of resignation, Amidu stated that the political meddling in his investigations ” convinces me beyond every reasonable doubt that you (Nana Addo) had laboured under the mistaken belief that you had I could be in the office of Special Prosecutor as your poodle… (and) the lack of respect of the independence of the my office…”
Kissi Agyebeng wore the shoes of Martin Amidu and he had rather too many cases to deal with. Agyapong and CEPS Commissioner’s Agyapa Royalties, The Labimca case (Adu Kyei’s grant of reduced valuation from 10% to 5% of frozen goods), The Airbus Deal, Cecilia Dapaah’s matter, Agyenim Boateng, then Almighty Ken Ofori-Atta his involvement in the SML-GRA contract deal, the National Cathedral, Procurement of Ambulances, GRA’s Tax Refund Account Payments & the Mustapha Abdul Hamid NPA deal …
In January, 2025, the OSP notified Ofori-Atta that he was a “suspect” in the deals listed. That was after (Kissi-Agyebeng) had sung his “Ankwanoma” song, and lamented his solitary position; “Mereye dee metumi, me unme so a na meko” – I’m doing what I can; when my time is up, I’ll leave…”
Lawyers and lovers of Ofori- Atta delight in their strategies to “swerve” the OSP and thus, to sway judgment in his (Ofori- Attah) cases of corruption. But to what advantage to the NPP as a party. Then, in Parliament Afenyo – Markin was under pressure to explain the continued absence of the self-same Ofori-Atta to face investigations into alleged corruption – linked contracts which include GRA – SML deal, the National Cathedral project.
Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim reminded the House: “He gave us authoritative information that by February 18th , the Honourable former Finance Minister was going to be in Ghana. So I’m saying, where is the former Finance Minister? … Ministers of Finance, who have occupied that office, after their tenure, remain in this country. Where is he?”
Afenyo – Markin was on his feet, responding: “The records would bear me out… Ken Ofori Atta had written to the OSP, through his lawyers that he was going to be in the country on or before May… he again indicated that he had been booked for surgery… (requiring) an extended healing period… (be considerate) when it comes to ill health… all of us may go through it one way or the other… a man going through a serious medical condition… (don’t politicise) Let’s be fair to Ken Ofori Atta, it can be you tomorrow (argumentum ad hominem?).
Mahama Ayariga would not let sleeping dogs lie: “You are giving an impression that members on this side are insensitive to the medical condition of Ken, Ofori-Atta … (he) was very sick in this country. You could see the sickness in his face. But at that time, it was sweet to be a Finance Minister…” but because he is being sought after by the law enforcement agencies he cannot… live in this country and is claiming illness? He was sick and when he was the Finance Minister. We all saw it.
“The pendulum, according to Dr. Arthur Kennedy, now swings to ex-President Akufo-Addo; “If we are talking about the sins of Ken Ofori-Atta, he was reporting to somebody. I think that at some point, we need to be asking the former President (Akufo-Addo) what he was doing while his Ministers were looting our coffers. He has a moral responsibility to address some of these issues.”
We ask with Dr. Arthur Kennedy; “Why this apparent culture of protectionism?” It is correct to say that this culture of protectionism undermines accountability, erodes public trust in state institutions… “So, all that Akufo-Addo was crying eight years ago was deception.” It is clear that corruption has become rampant (NDC’s Woyome) in these last few years, robbing us of much-needed resources for our development.
I am determined to fight corruption aggressively, and I can. So, because I am not corrupt, have never been corrupt and will demand the same of my team. Accountability and transparency are the hallmarks of good governance. Ghana needs this, Ghana deserves this and I, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, pledge to deliver this to the good people of Ghana.” ( clap! clap! clap! Nana Nana Oyε Winner…)
Where are our principles? Principles gone to the dogs!
And with the waning fortunes, the tottering position of NPP, one would have thought Nana Addo would strongly advise his cousin, for the sake of the party, to come and face the music—whether waltz, cha-cha-cha or highlife or should we be ad idem with Martin Amidu that Nana Addo himself is “mother serpent of corruption”??
Surprised about Apostle Abraham Lincoln Larbi’s demo against prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng for alleged “waste of state resources” — accusations of incompetence, inefficiency by others, including Martin Kpebu? Remember the Asante proverb: “Dua a Ananse atena ase awuo no, Ntikuma ntena ase nto nko” — the tree under which Spider has sat and died, Ntikuma (his son) doesn’t sit under and swoon. Ankwanoma, like Daddy Lumba, you (Kissi) had foreseen the future…
By Africanus Owusu-Ansah
