Presidential staffer Evron Hughes has explained why the issue of tackling corruption is not a part of the campaign message of the governing New Patriotic Party(NPP) for this year’s General Elections. The reason, he revealed, is that corruption is already being tackled through the prosecution of ex-government officials of the John Mahama administration.
Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni had stated that it was surprising that the NPP was not campaigning on fighting corruption like it did in the run up to the 2016 General Elections.
But Evron Hughes, who works as an Economic advisor in the Office of the Vice President, noted that there was no need to do so given that over 40 former government officials under the presidency of former President John Mahama are being prosecuted.
He added that the NPP has implemented so many programmes that it does not need to preoccupy itself campaigning on corruption.
“…dear Manasseh Azure Awuni: why must NPP campaign on “corruption” when it is prosecuting 40+ individuals from the previous regime, and has a million and one successful programmes it’s delivered for Ghanaians?” He quizzed.
Mr Azure Awuni had noted that corruption had become worse under the Presidency of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and that he had thought the John Mahama administration was the most corrupt government Ghana could ever have had, but the government of Akufo-Addo has taught him that he was naive.
But the government of the NPP has continued to defend its record in the corruption fight, saying that gains have been made, notably the establishment of the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
