By Savannah Pokuaah Duah
Executive Director of the Africa Center for Security and Counterterrorism, Emmanuel Kotin, has lashed out at the rampant corruption in Ghana’s political landscape, stating that it is unacceptable for individuals to become billionaires overnight after entering politics.
During an interview on the Current Agenda show on GBC, Kotin emphasized that corruption is a major contributor to the country’s underdevelopment. “It’s only done in Africa. You go into politics overnight, you become a billionaire, and nobody sees anything wrong with it,” Kotin lamented, highlighting the need for lifestyle audits to monitor sudden changes in wealth among public officials.
Kotin also expressed frustration over the country’s reliance on international financial institutions like the IMF, attributing it to poor economic management. “If we can plug in those loopholes, I guarantee you that we won’t even need the IMF,” he asserted. The $3 billion loan from the IMF, according to Kotin, comes with embarrassing conditions that undermine the country’s sovereignty.
“We sit in the same class with these people; we will perform better than them. And all of this is because we don’t manage our economy well. Endow us with the resources, it’s just the petulant desire for greed,” Kotin added, stressing that effective resource management and a lack of greed could propel Ghana’s economic growth.
Kotin’s statements were made in the context of discussing the Republic versus Kwabena Duffour and seven others case, highlighting the need for accountability and transparency in governance. His comments underscore the importance of addressing corruption and ensuring that public officials are held accountable for their actions.
