John Dramani Mahama, Presidential Candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has promised Ghanaians that corrupt would be tackled vigorously and severely like never before,  in his second coming.

This action will be taken through what will be launched: ‘Operation Stings,” which is targeted all corrupt political appointees and public servants.

He warned that any appointee who will be found culpable by the law should not run to him for cover, because “I am not going to be a clearing agent for my ministers when they have involved themselves in corruption.”

Mr Mahama further promised to make it a requirement of all who will serve in his government to not only declare their assets but to have those asset declarations published and audited by the Auditor General, adding “I will drastically reduce the size of government.”

He added that his comeback will ensure that institutions’ – Electoral Commission (EC), Attorney General’s Department, Commission on Human Right Administration and Justice (CHRAJ) and Economic Organised Crime Office (EOCO) – mandates are enforced.    

Mr Mahama who is also the current past President revealed this at an engagement with some labour unions and party faithfulls in Ho in the Volta region as well as target virtual audience via social media platform Facebook today.

Mr Mahama who seems to be seeking the opportunity to write wrongs of the past, said competitive tender would be anchored in his government and signal source procurement or sole sourcing, will only become an exception than the rule.

In pursuance of social justice, he said there will be a Constitutional review and this will creates a fairer and just and monument system and, by which there will be removal of the distortion between Article 71 Office Holders and other public sector employees.

He also promised that a Financial Service Authority will be established to deal with all the malfeasance in the financial sector, sine it will oversee all financial products and services that are offered to consumers.  

The Financial Service Authority will also efficiently and effectively stop the challenges that we have confronted with companies like DKM and Menzgold.

He gave assurance to all aggrieved customers of these institutions that within one year, all their investments and funds locked up with defunct financial institutions will be refund to them.  

Mr Mahama stated that many people have lost hope in democracy, due to the believe that current dispensation is not meeting citizens’ expectation, but pledged to change the narrative at his comeback.   

He feared the manner in which the Akufo-Addo led government has done very little and always pride itself with showing dubious micro economic statistics will send the country nowhere.

“And indeed, we are not even sure what statistics to believe. Because for the first time in history we have a government that produce two sets of statistics – one for local consumption, and other for international consumption.

“…while we are fighting to sustain our low income level, the advance nations are in the middle of the fourth industrial revolution – the transition from a post-industrial world to the world of smart technology and from production base economy to a knowledge based one,” he said.

To address some of Ghana’s developmental challenges, he has proposed US$10 billion Big Push initiative that would deal with investment and infrastructure needs for economic transformation.

He pledged that the investment will be made over a five years period and it is meant to achieve that critical upgrade in our social and economic infrastructure, which will create a platform for the transformation of the economy by creating one million jobs.

The flagbearer revealed that in the few weeks to come, the party will unveiled the details of the Big Push and the one million jobs plan.

By Akutu Dede Adimer