Show more commitment in fight against corruption — Herbert Lartey
The flag bearer of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), Mr Henry Herbert Lartey, has called on Ghanaians to show more commitment towards the fight against corruption.
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He said many Ghanaians who "have a strong desire to fight corruption are afraid to do so because of the fear of being chastised publicly."
Addressing the media at a press conference in Accra, Mr Lartey said his strong passion to deal with corruption made it difficult for him to keep quiet without doing something about it.
He said his decision to drag former President Jerry John Rawlings to the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) over the gift of money from Nigeria’s late military leader, Sani Abacha, in 1998 was borne out of his love for Ghana.
"I personally do not hold anything against former President Rawlings, but I despise corruption passionately," he said.
According to Mr Lartey, he was not influenced by any political party, adding that “I am just doing what is right as a citizen of Ghana."
Petition
The GCPP, led by Mr Lartey, in October this year, petitioned CHRAJ to investigate former President Rawlings.
The petition is in respect of US$5 million allegedly received by former President Rawlings as a gift from Sani Abacha in 1998.
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Although former President Rawlings denied the allegation 18 years ago, he was reported to have told Nigeria's Guardian newspaper in an interview that he had received a US$2 million gift from the Nigerian leader and not US$5 million, as was reported.
We need boldness
Mr Lartey said one of the ways to confront corruption properly was for the citizens to be bold enough to report any corrupt dealings.
"You cannot sit down and complain about corruption without doing anything about it. Ghanaians must show more commitment towards dealing with the issue," he said.
According to Mr Lartey he was prepared and ready to lead his party to fight any corrupt dealings, especially by politicians.
He observed that Ghana could save millions of cedis annually if the country was able to properly address corruption.
"Our institutions must be prepared to confront corruption without any fear or favour. Just because it involves a powerful individual does not mean we should stop," Mr Lartey said.
Concerning his petition to CHRAJ, he said he believed and trusted the institution to investigate the case properly, adding, "the Commission is competent to do the job."