Domelevo warns against auctioning of public positions

Former Auditor General Daniel Yao Domelevo has voiced his concerns about the practice of trading public positions for political favours, warning that this could lead to unqualified individuals and criminals infiltrating the public sector for their own gain.

Speaking at the inaugural Leadership Ethics Seminar in Ho organized by the Africa Ethics Institute, Domelevo stressed the importance of meritocracy in the public service.

He expressed worry that in an election year, public offices were being treated as commodities up for auction to the highest bidder. This trend, he cautioned, could potentially allow drug dealers and terrorists to influence political appointments and compromise the integrity of the government.

Domelevo highlighted the pervasive issue of corruption in the country, describing it as almost a way of life. He called for a more efficient public financial management system, fiscal decentralization, and the reorganization of anti-corruption institutions to effectively combat corruption and safeguard public funds.

He suggested a more collaborative approach between whistleblowers and anti-corruption agencies to curb corrupt practices. Domelevo also recommended stricter enforcement of asset declaration laws and lifestyle audits for public officials to prevent corruption.

In order to foster ethical leadership and eliminate corrupt behavior, Domelevo emphasized the need for accountability among the country’s leaders. He stressed the importance of ethical and transformational leadership in Ghana.

Israel Laryea, Director of the Africa Ethics Institute, lamented the decline in moral values and the temptation to engage in corruption due to low incomes. The institute was established to instill ethical values in the younger generation and guide them towards upholding moral standards.

Laryea urged the youth to diversify their sources of income to resist the allure of corruption, while Ruby Yayra Goka, a Dentist and Author, advised student leaders at the seminar to prioritize ethics, self-awareness, confidence, and efficacy, and avoid unethical practices.