The Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga has stirred up a hornet’s nest by accusing technocrats of being equally corrupt as politicians.
Speaking at a Regional Coordinating Council meeting in Bolgatanga, Mr. Atanga lamented that the general public’s perception that politicians are the only corrupt individuals is far from the truth.
According to the minister, technocrats are the ones, who often manipulate documents and engage in shady deals that harm the people of Ghana, stating, “Sometimes we talk about corruption, we eye only the politicians, but the technocrats are also part of it”.
“We [politicians] are not the only corrupt people, you [technocrats] are also corrupt. You show us the tricks to get corrupt, you show us how to manipulate documents. The politician doesn’t manipulate any documents,” h e added.
Under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, the government has launched a code of conduct/ethics aimed at curbing corruption among appointees. Mr. Atanga emphasized that there is no room for corruption in the government, particularly when it comes to the smuggling of government’s subsidized fertilizers.
The Regional Minister’s call to action was directed not only at politicians but also at technocrats, urging them to behave responsibly in the discharge of their duties.
The meeting, which brought together key stakeholders from the region, including District Chief Executives (DCEs), Presiding Members, and representatives from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and development partners, served as a platform for Mr. Atanga to drive home his message.
