The Member of Parliament (MP) for Garu, Dr Thomas Anaba has called for long-term accountability for politically exposed persons, asserting that political exposure should not be confined to the duration of an official’s term in office.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on March 5 announced that President John Mahama has directed the immediate reversal of all allocations and sales of land belonging to the ministry.
- Read also: Mahama orders reversal of Foreign Ministry land allocations – Ablakwa
Speaking on the issue of state land acquisitions by public officials, the Garu MP emphasised that individuals in positions of power should remain subject to scrutiny even after their time in office.
“Even the politically exposed person should continue to be politically exposed till he dies, it shouldn’t be four years,” the MP stated.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile, he further argued that public officeholders should never be allowed to use their political positions to acquire state properties, including land, houses, or vehicles.
“Once you know you want to go into politics, know that you have no power in future in this country to go and buy any state property, whether land or vehicle or house or whatever,” Dr Anaba remarked.
He also noted that politics should be seen as a service to the country rather than an avenue for personal gain.
“Politics to me is service,” he noted, adding that politicians should be held to a higher standard even after they leave office.
He also praised the president’s efforts to reverse these acquisitions, seeing it as an important step to ensure that current appointees understand the consequences of misusing their political power for personal enrichment.
“This move by the president to make sure they reverse all these lands is a good move. It is sending a signal to current appointees,” he concluded.
Discussion about this post