Former Senior Presidential Aide and former Head of the Policy Evaluation and Oversight Unit at the Office of the President under the late President John Evans Atta Mills, Dr. Tony Aidoo, has expressed concern over what he describes as the growing decline in Ghana’s moral values, patriotism, and respect for the rule of law.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s Adekyee Mu Nsem morning programme hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra, Dr. Aidoo lamented that corruption has permeated nearly every level of national life, affecting public institutions, the private sector, and even families.
According to him, Ghana has witnessed a worrying erosion of integrity, with the pursuit of personal wealth taking precedence over honesty, accountability, and national development.
“It is very unfortunate that our beloved country has lost its moral values, respect and love for the nation because of corruption at all levels of national development. How can a country develop when people are only interested in acquiring wealth without questioning how that wealth was obtained?” he asked.
Reflecting on the legacy of the late President Atta Mills, Dr. Aidoo said the former President stood for discipline, integrity, and selfless service to the nation. He argued that these values have gradually been replaced by self-interest, political opportunism, and corruption across both public and private institutions.
He further stated that many Ghanaians have become more interested in personal gain than in protecting the country’s resources and promoting national development.
According to Dr. Aidoo, the sacrifices made by Ghana’s founding leaders and past generations risk being undermined if citizens fail to uphold the principles of honesty, patriotism, and accountability.
Touching on the recent legal issues involving the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, Dr. Aidoo questioned the legal arguments advanced by his defence team.
He argued that, based on the facts presented before the court and the principles of contract law, Chairman Wontumi could be held liable for actions relating to the transfer of ownership and activities connected to the disputed property.
Dr. Aidoo also questioned what he described as contradictions in Chairman Wontumi’s public position.
“If he insists that he never carried out mining activities in the forest reserve, then why is he talking about reclaiming the land?” he asked.
He further condemned illegal mining, describing it as a major threat to Ghana’s environment and public health.
According to him, the destruction of forests and pollution of water bodies have contributed to serious environmental degradation and increased health risks, including water-borne diseases and certain forms of cancer.
Dr. Aidoo therefore called for strict enforcement of the country’s environmental and mining laws, insisting that no individual should be above the law regardless of political affiliation.
Story by Alexander Kukah/AhotorOnline/Accra
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