Dr. Nduom questions the moral authority of leadership

Dr.Papa Kwesi Nduom, Founder and 2012 flagbearer of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) has questioned the moral authority of Ghanaian leadership in a post on his Facebook page raising concerns on how leaders of this country are using the public purse to mount billboards, fuel vehicles, transport supporters to political rallies and how bad it is going to affect the country in future.

Dr Nduom said he has fears for the future of the nation because “we seem not to care about moral authority”.

Dr Nduom, an astute businessman and politician is convinced the absence of this is what fuels corruption and also little justice or attempt to reclaim what has been misappropriated.

In relation to the latest of scandals to rock government in the energy sector- AMERI Power Deal, Dr. Nduom wrote: “When in the name solving dumsor, we try to do so by any means possible, at any cost, so much so that a deputy minister can say openly on radio that the fraud allegation against one of those who played a key role in the AMERI Power transaction with government is irrelevant because he did not sign on behalf of Ghana, then where did our principles go?”

Read full and unedited details of a write-up titled “What Happened to Moral Authority?” from Dr. Nduom below.

“When a nation loses its moral compass, it courts disaster, chaos, indiscipline and failure. It is a sure path to becoming a failed. I am afraid for Ghana because we seem not to care about moral authority.

Moral authority is defined by some as principles or fundamental truths, which are independent of written or positive laws. As such, moral authority necessitates the existence of and adherence to truth.

When high-level party officials and Ministers of State openly share money and material things on voting day at Amenfi West to win votes then turn around to tell Ghanaians that the votes have confirmed the good works of their administration, we must question where our moral authority is. Does the end justify the means?

When the public purse is used to mount billboards, fuel vehicles, transport supporter to political rallies, do we have a level playing field for elections in Ghana? Win by all means; win at all cost led us to GYEEDA and the rest. And we the people are still paying for the deficit that funded somebody’s campaign.

When in the name solving dumsor, we try to do so by any means possible, at any cost, so much so that a deputy minister can say openly on radio that the fraud allegation against one of those who played a key role in the AMERI Power transaction with government is irrelevant because he did not sign on behalf of Ghana, then where did our principles go?

When the Minister of Agriculture says it is lazy analysis to suggest that the declining contribution of agriculture to Ghana’s GDP is a source of worry to government, then what has happened to truth? If this does not worry government, it definitely is a source of worry to the citizens,

When government decides that important agreements should be rushed consistently to Parliament under certificates of urgency or when the legislature is about to rise for a break, this compromises truth, principles and good governance. This practice has given rise to AMERI Power, STX Korea, ChIna EXIM loan, etc.

When our constitution exempts the President from paying tax, who is to demand that the average worker, trader, professional and business person should pay tax? With what moral authority?

Where is our moral authority?”