By Mabel Esinam Awagah and Jacqueline Emefa Ampo
As Ghana goes to the polls on Saturday, December 7, to elect leaders to steer the affairs of the country for the next four years, former Auditor-General, Daniel Yaw Domelevo, has urged voters to select a leader who demonstrates fairness and accountability in managing the country’s resources.
Speaking at a multi-stakeholder forum organized by the Media Foundation for West Africa in Accra, Mr. Domelevo, emphasized that the country’s transformation relies heavily on a competent leader, who earns the public’s trust through honesty and integrity.
Daniel Yaw Domelevo demanded the implementation of asset declarations, noting that it is a key component in protecting the public purse. He underscored the need for a collective effort to combat illicit financial flows, which continue to drain the country’s
“A leader is a father who has indeed given birth to children. It is an acronym, and I’m going to unpack it. The F stands for a leader who is fair. He gives his place to the meritocracy, not because he belongs to my party or my tribe. He is fair.
“ He rewards people who deserve to be rewarded. That is the father I’m looking for. The A is a leader who is accountable for his resources and actions and holds himself and his followers accountable. So we need an accountable leader.
“The T stands for a trustworthy leader. A leader in whom we have to impose our trust, not a leader who looks into our face and carries it and later on says, ah, so you trusted me.
“The H stands for an honest leader. When things are going right, he says, yes, we made it. But when things are not going well, he doesn’t use figures to disturb our peace. So let’s go for a leader who is honest to say we are failing. But this is how we are addressing this. Because if you are a leader who is not honest, the day you speak the truth, nobody believes you.
“Then the E stands for an equitable leader. As you use your power to the right, that is the justice system for the others. So there is a need for equity. As you develop your area, make sure other areas are also receiving the same level of development. Create opportunity for the people, not only for a few people. R stands for respect
“So that is what I pray for Ghana. What if we have a fair leader, a leader who is accountable, a leader who is trustworthy, and a leader who is honest, equitable, and respects other people, including divergent views, I think Ghana will be a good place. He stressed
“The declaration is just a paper declaration. If you say you own a piece of land, we must go and see the land. If you don’t do that, there will be what we call an anticipatory declaration. The moment you are appointed Minister, you say, ‘I will build a six-story building before I leave.’ So, you declare the six-story building, and by the time you leave, you will say it’s still the same six-story building,” He emphasized.
