Corruption fight: ‘I won’t set aside rules of natural justice’ – Akufo-Addo to Mahama

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has sent a direct response to the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama for tagging him as a “clearing agent” in the fight against corruption.

The President said that in his attempt to fight corruption, he will not set aside due process and the rules of natural justice.

President Akufo-Addo made the remarks during the commissioning of the newly built office, ‘The Law House’ to accommodate the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice in Accra on Monday, June 10.

The former President and NDC’s 2024 presidential candidate has on several occasions described President Akuff-Addo’s attitude towards his appointees, who are named in any act of corruption, as one of a “clearing agent”, lacking the appetite to deal with his corrupt officials.

However, President Akufo-Addo maintained that the rules of natural justice must be respected when public officials are named in any alleged corrupt acts.

“…I am sure we are all aware of the statement by the former president and perennial NDC presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama stigmatizing me as a clearing agent because for him mere allegation without more is enough to merit condemnation of an accused public official. Especially one of my administration.”

“For my part and let me state it again for the record, I will not set aside due process and the rules of natural justice on the altar of the fight against corruption no matter how much opprobrium this position incurs for me,” said the President.

Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has come under heavy criticism following his letter acknowledging the resignation of the former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah.

President Akufo-Addo, in a letter dated July 22, 2023, addressed to Madam Dapaah noted, among other things, that he is confident that “at the end of the day, your integrity whilst in office will be fully established.”

This statement, according to the NPP Member of Parliament for the Asante Akim North constituency, Andy Appiah-Kubi was needless.

Mr Appiah-Kubi maintained that the comments by the President have fueled speculations that state institutions have connived to shield the embattled former Sanitation Minister, describing them as “unnecessary.”