Bribery and Corruption Derailing Ghana’s Progress – Worlanyo Mensah
Bribery and corruption are significant factors derailing Ghana from the path of progress, according to Rev Dr. Samuel Worlanyo Mensah, an Independent Presidential candidate for the 2024 election.
He emphasized that these issues have hindered citizens from harnessing their potential, noting that Ghana’s independence in 1957 coincided with other African and Caribbean countries starting their development plans.
During an interview with EXPRESSNEWSGHANA in Accra, Dr. Worlanyo, an economist, pointed out that many of Ghana’s over 30 million population are still struggling with corruption, which has been the main obstacle to the country’s development.
Recent reports by anti-graft institutions ranked Ghana as the 16th most corrupt nation out of 180 countries. This ranking, based on the Corruption Perception Index, highlighted the severe damage done to the public sector, which is crucial for development.
Additionally, the World Bank downgraded Ghana’s economic status from C to D, describing it as a ‘hopeless’ nation.
Dr. Worlanyo, spokesperson for the Grand Coalition Ghana—a group of Independent presidential aspirants—attributed this to bad leadership, political witch-hunting, and inefficient public servants due to government interference.
He cited the SSNIT scandal and the prosecution of the Minority Leader over the 2014 ambulance supply as politically motivated issues that either deprived the country of valuable property or affected the judiciary’s trust.
“I strongly believe that Ghana is not a poor nation. We have resources that could make us a destination to inspire others, but bribery and corruption are affecting our progress,” Dr. Worlanyo stated. He called for the election of visionary leaders with a passion for national progress in the 2024 election.
Dr. Worlanyo criticized the sale of SSNIT Hotels, arguing that the state should attract investment to shore up its assets rather than sell them to officials. He called for an overhaul of the sale of state property to public officials.
On the current administration’s plan to introduce a Bill for Free Senior High School, Dr. Worlanyo believed that providing books, computers, and laptops to students should be prioritized over enacting such a law. He argued that there is no need for a law to make free SHS sustainable.
Describing the country as “a failing state” in need of new political leadership, Dr. Worlanyo emphasized that unless there is a change in political leadership, Ghana will remain in a state of underdevelopment and misery.
Recent polls suggest that independent candidates could push the elections to a run-off against the ruling party’s candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and the main opposition candidate, John Dramani Mahama. Despite their high name recognition, Bawumia is the current Vice President, and Mahama is a former president.
Political analysts describe the December 7 vote to replace incumbent President Akufo-Addo as a crucial exercise. Bawumia has pledged to “digitise Ghana,” while Mahama aims to “run a 24-hour economy to rescue Ghana.”
For more news stories and articles, contact EXPRESSNEWSGHANA via email at expressnewsgh@gmail.com or WhatsApp at +233 0543 900 732.
Source: Felix Nyaaba // expressnewsghana.com
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