By King Amoah
A wave of public sentiment is sweeping across Ghana, with citizens demanding harsher punishments for those who pilfer state resources.
Opinion polls conducted by this news website in several regions, including Ashanti, Central, Greater Accra, Northern, Western, Oti, and Volta, reveal a widespread desire for imprisonment as a deterrent, rather than the mere recovery of stolen assets.
The polls show a clear message from the Ghanaian people: simply seizing back ill-gotten gains isn’t enough. Respondents across the regions expressed frustration with a system they perceive as too lenient, allowing state saboteurs to walk free after the retrieval of stolen funds or properties.
The call for jail time is seen as a crucial step to stem the tide of corruption and ensure accountability.
In particular, citizens are directing their appeal to President John Dramani Mahama, urging him to ensure that those found guilty by law during the “Operation Retrieve All Loot” initiative face prison sentences. The public emphasized that the retrieval of assets should not be grounds for leniency or an escape from the full weight of the law.
The “Operation Retrieve All Loot” has been met with resounding approval, with Ghanaians viewing it as vital for stabilizing the nation’s finances and resources. However, the public’s enthusiasm is tempered by a strong conviction that accountability must extend beyond financial restitution.
Many citizens argued that an official who steals from the state should be equated to an armed robber. They expressed their disappointment at those betraying the country. One respondent asked a pressing question: if our forefathers, who fought for the country’s independence, had resorted to theft, could Ghana have survived?
This question highlights the depth of public discontent with those who abuse their positions.
The current state of affairs has been described by some poll respondents as “an evil and wicked era,” reflecting deep-seated frustration with the lack of consequences for those who plunder the state. The polls uncovered a prevailing sense of betrayal, with Ghanaians questioning whether these “looters” are normal citizens or individuals intentionally trying to bankrupt the country.
“It’s time a showdown must be mounted on these criminals without fear or favor,” stated Agbo Kingsley, a respondent from the Volta region, echoing the sentiment of many.
This comment encapsulates the prevailing attitude: Ghanaians are demanding immediate, decisive action and an end to impunity for white-collar crimes.
The results of these opinion polls paint a clear picture of a population hungry for justice.
While Ghanaians support initiatives like Operation Retrieve All Loot, they believe that true justice requires those who steal from the state to face imprisonment.
