…. Of corruption and fringe benefits in Ghana
Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama in his second coming has vowed to stem corruption by any means possible.
He has set up a five-member committee charged with investigating suspected and perceived corruption, looting, and state capture of public assets and to reclaim same.
Even though the committee, appropriately themed Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL), was not promulgated by an Act of Parliament, most Ghanaians think it is a step in the right direction and therefore welcome it.
In the midst of contemporary dire straits of the economy, no right-thinking Ghanaian would oppose such a laudable mission.
However, the government must be cautious and conscious about the operating parameters of the committee, its scope, modus operandi, etc., as for example how far back must the investigations begin: the last eight years, or from the inception of the country’s 4th republic?
While swearing in the first six of his appointed ministers, on January 22, 2025, President John Dramani Mahama directed his appointees to declare their assets as a way to nip corruption in the bud.
Since the committee’s task is basically labor of love for country, we would rather the committee members declare their assets and wealth and their sources to the Ghanaian public.
We would hope that committee members are of impeccable integrity who can stand the test of time and that there are no specks in their own eyes. Further, we would have wished the committee had been broad-based with representation from the clergy, civil society, chieftaincy, political parties, etc.
The committee, as it stands now, is biasedly constituted. Even though the committee has no legal teeth, we hope it would be more efficient and effective than those which have legal status but are virtually toothless. Ghana needs to recapture its assets and resources.
While at it, we would like to draw the attention of the president and his government to another drain on the fortunes and coffers of the country.
Colonial-era governments bequeathed to Ghana and indeed Africa an “animal farm” system of government.
Senior staff of the British colonial government in the then Gold Coast (present-day Ghana) lived large and lavish lives at the expense of the taxpayer.
Their fringe benefits and freebies included, but were not limited to, huge bungalows, utilities, house helps, security, free vacation family air tickets, among others.
In their scheme to create wealth and enhance quality of life, they enacted laws (some self-serving and controversial) that gave them access to enrich themselves and by extension the throne in England.
After the almost 68 years during which the Gold Coast transitioned to Ghana, most if not all of the aforementioned benefits, plus some, have been extant.
The benefits are continually revised in board and corporate rooms by those with the wherewithal to do so.
Senior staff members of government and civil service, heads of public corporations and companies, and numerous such entities milk the nation dry with impunity:
free fuel coupons, entertainment allowances, company vehicles and chauffeurs that not only ferry their bosses in the course of duties but are utilized for personal social activities during non-business hours and off the clock, as well as private trips for family and friends; chauffeurs who are instructed to keep vehicle and air conditioner running while the boss is officially engaged or otherwise; etc.
In fact, we can say with a degree of certainty that fringe benefits, perks, and freebies enjoyed by senior staff members in government, chief executive officers, and managing directors in contemporary Ghana are far more than they were during colonial times.
A quick extrapolation will show that the toil and toll exacted on government budget expenditures by these colonial-era legacies will only get worse and exact a premium on the country’s overall budget and the populace.
The country cannot sustain these and hopes to cut the excess fat off the meat. The existing benefits must be streamlined to meet the challenges thereof.
Amandla suggests that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government led by His Excellency President John Mahama should reset the structure of fringe benefits, perks, and freebies in public agencies.
A committee must be commissioned to explore a competitive public pay structure and renumerations that may encourage or even entice qualified people to take a career in public service and reduce and/or curtail the numerous benefits associated with senior staff public and civil servants.
In essence, pay well; reduce fringe benefits.