General News of Tuesday, 9 October 2012
Source: Kojo Frimpong
“If your idea is to make corruption money in government, then there will be no room for you in my government. If you think of public office as a shortcut to making money, then find some other venture to engage your time and energies, because there will be no room under an Akufo-Addo government for self enrichment in politics”.
These were the words of the 2012 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo, when he delivered a speech at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, on the theme “Why Ghana cannot afford corruption”.
Nana Addo believes the time has come “for us to end the business of going into politics to enrich ourselves”, adding that Ghanaians need to change the culture of seeking wealth through politics and seeing politics as an avenue for financial gain.
Nana Addo explained that the essence of public office is the spirit of service for the common good and pledged that “I, as your President, will lead by example, and will not allow corrupt, greedy and self-serving politicians in my government. And I urge you, fellow Ghanaians, to hold me to this sacred promise”.
He continued, “The NPP is certainly a pro-business and pro-people party, and my government will provide an atmosphere conducive for legitimate businesses to flourish, but making corrupt money as a politician or through politics during my tenure as President is not an option that I am prepared to tolerate under my watch”.
The NPP presidential candidate maintained he would not condone corruption in his administration, as he brings to the table and to the office of President of Ghana, an unblemished track record of personal integrity and fortitude.
According to the NPP Presidential Candidate, Ghana’s fight against corruption must first begin with an incorruptible President and in him Ghana will have a president who is not corrupt and has never been corrupt, adding that “I will lead a strong fight against corruption in this country”.
“I shall aim to bring about a sustainable reduction in corrupt behaviour to protect the public purse and offer the Ghanaian people value economic and social development”, Nana Addo reiterated.