In a bold and potentially controversial statement, a Kumasi -based political Analyst Mr Akwasi Addai has called for a more stringent approach to deal with corrupt officials, suggesting that harsh penalties should be meted out to serve as a powerful deterrent to others.
Addai in an interview with the correspondent insisted that the current methods of dealing with corruption often seen as lenient or ineffective, have failed to curb the pervasive issue.
He believes that a strong message needs to be sent to demonstrate that corruption will not be tolerated and will be met with severe consequences.
The key to fight corruption is to make it unattractive, Addai stated adding, if potential offenders know that the punishment for engaging in corrupt practices will be significant and strictly enforced, they will be less inclined to take the risk.
While he didn’t explicitly detailed the specific penalties he envisions that the implication is for measures exceeding existing legal punishments, suggesting a need for a more impactful and fear-inducing approach.
The proposal has sparked a wave of debate within the region.
Supporters of Addai reiterated that drastic measures are necessary to address the endemic corruption that hinders development and erodes public trust.
They point to the fact that current laws, despite their presence haven’t significantly decreased corrupt practices.
We have seen countless reports, investigations, and even convictions, but the corruption continues, argues Kwame Boateng, a local businessman.
Perhaps a stronger and more visceral deterrent is what is needed to finally break the cycle.
However, critics raise concerns about the potential for abuse and the undermining of due process. They said focusing solely on punishment while the desire to combat corruption is understandable, we must be careful not to sacrifice justice and fairness in the process, said Ama Serwaa, a local lawyer who opined that harsh penalties without a robust judicial system and safeguards against abuse could easily lead to the persecutions of innocent individuals.
Furthermor some argue that focusing solely on punishment overlooks the underlying causes of corruption, such as low wages, weak governance structures, and a lack of transparency.
They believe that addressing these systemic issues are crucial for long-term success in combating corruption.
