Ghana becoming poorer because of corruption – Dr. Afari-Gyan
Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, a former Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), has attributed the economic challenges facing the country to widespread corruption within public institutions.
During the Constitution Day Public Lecture at UPSA, Dr. Afari-Gyan expressed concerns about the impact of corruption on the consolidation of democracy in the country. He highlighted a noticeable decline in the nation’s wealth due to pervasive corruption in the public sector, which has also affected the integrity of key institutions.
Furthermore, Dr. Afari-Gyan pointed out a concerning trend where electoral losers reject results and accuse manipulation, indicating a lack of widespread acceptance of democratic principles. He voiced his worries about the overall unpredictability in social life, which he believes discourages responsible behavior. In assessing the situation, Dr. Afari-Gyan stressed the importance of perception as it pertains to public trust and confidence in public institutions and office holders.
He emphasized that even if these ailments are perceived rather than real, they significantly impact the trust necessary for a healthy democracy. Additionally, he acknowledged that these challenges have sparked calls for constitutional amendments, but cautioned that such a process would be lengthy.
There is a good reason why you should support the African Editors. Not everyone can afford to pay for news right now. That is why we keep our journalism open for everyone to read, including in Ghana. If this is you, please continue to read for free. But if you are able to, then there are three good reasons to support us today.
1. Our quality, journalism is a scrutinising force at a time when the rich and powerful are getting away with more and more.
2. We are independent and have no billionaire owner pulling the strings, so your money directly powers our reporting.
3. It doesn’t cost much, and takes less time than it took to read this message.
Help power the African Editors' journalism for the years to come, whether with a small sum or a larger one. If you can, please support us on a monthly basis from just 1 Ghana Cedi through mobile money number: 0599896099/ +23359989609 and you can be rest assured that you’re making a big impact every single month in support of open, independent journalism. Thank you.
