House of Chiefs asks Akufo-Addo to step up fight against corruption

The National House of Chiefs is asking President Nana Akufo-Addo to intensify the fight against corruption in the country.

President of the House, Togbe Afede XIV, says it is the only way to ensure even distribution of development initiatives to benefit all citizens.

He was speaking at a meeting with President Akufo-Addo in Kumasi on Monday.

President Akufo-Addo has committed to having all corruption allegations in his government investigated.

His administration was recently hit with corruption allegations when hip-life artiste, A-Plus, accused two deputy chiefs of staff of underhand dealings.

Police Criminal Investigations Department, however, exonerated the two officials.

Just as the matter was dying, former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey, stirred yet another controversy.

The outspoken mister of the Gospel indicated at a public forum in Kumasi, there are corrupt appointees in Nana Addo’s government.

The National House of Chiefs says it backs the President in the corruption fight.

Togbe Afede who lauds President Akufo-Addo for creating Office of the Special Prosecutor, underscores the need to fight the canker.

“Also essential for it to happen your excellency is for the need for development to benefit all of us and that is why we support your fight against corruption and ask that it is stepped up.

“Corruption discourages innovation, discourages hard work and divert resources to private pockets. Like I always say, corrupt officials are like termites at the woodwork; eating at the very foundations of our developments. We like your commitment to the passage of the Right to Information Bill and your commitment to the establishing the Office of the Independent Prosecutor,” said Togbe Afede XIV.

President Akufo-Addo touts economic achievements of his government in his quest to bringing good governance to the doorsteps of the people.

He wants the support of the Chiefs.

“We have begun to act on fundamentals of our economy resulting in growing stability of the macroeconomy and the cedi.

“We have quickly moved to instill fiscal discipline by passing a budget, the Asempa Budget that will bring down the deficit by the end of the year to 6.3 percent from 9.4 percent in 2016. The economy has responded positively to this,” the President said.

Nana Akufo-Addo remains hopeful of more gains to improve the macroeconomy of the country.

“Interest rates on the money market have declined, the exchange rate is more stable, inflation which stood at 15.4 percent in December 2016 is on the decline. In September 2017 [inflation] stood at 12.12 percent and economic growth peaked up in the first half of the year and is projected to end at 7. 6 percent up from the 3.6 % we inherited, which is the lowest in 20 years. The benchmark 91-day Treasury Bill rate was 22.8 % in January last year, has narrowed to 13 .2 % in October 2017, ” he said.

Source: Myjoyonline.com