Joyce Bawah Mogtari, Special Aide to former President John Dramani Mahama, has criticized the Akufo-Addo-led government’s newly launched Performance Tracker, branding it a misplaced priority. Mogtari contends that the tracker’s failure to address widespread corruption within the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration renders it ineffective in promoting transparency and accountability.
Madam Bawah insists that the tracker’s inability to shed light on rampant corruption undermines its credibility and wastes limited state resources. She highlights concerns over the government’s alleged favoritism in awarding contracts, citing that 80% of projects and contracts are single-sourced, raising suspicions of nepotism.
In a tweet, Bawah calls out the government’s failure to fulfill expectations of revealing its performance, particularly in combating corruption. She expresses disappointment at the tracker’s failure to track the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration’s record on corruption, urging transparency regarding government spending and contracting practices.
Bawah’s critique coincides with the government’s launch of the Performance Tracker at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) in Accra. The platform aims to improve transparency and accountability in government infrastructure projects nationwide.
Meanwhile, Minister of Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, who unveiled the Performance Tracker, emphasizes its role in promoting transparency and accountability in infrastructure projects. Nkrumah highlights the tracker’s significance in addressing concerns about project accuracy and reliability, with data on over 13,000 projects currently available.
The tracker builds upon the foundation laid by the Delivery Tracker introduced by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in 2020, underscoring the government’s commitment to enhancing transparency and accountability in project implementation.
Critics argue that the Performance Tracker fails to address systemic issues such as corruption, which have plagued the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration. They point to the government’s failure to address allegations of corruption and nepotism, which undermine public trust and erode confidence in governance.
According to Bawah, the tracker’s focus on project implementation overlooks critical aspects of governance, such as financial accountability and ethical conduct. She urges the government to prioritize transparency and integrity in its operations, rather than relying solely on performance metrics.
In response to Bawah’s criticism, Minister Nkrumah defends the Performance Tracker as a vital tool for enhancing transparency and accountability. He acknowledges concerns about corruption but argues that the tracker’s primary objective is to monitor project implementation and ensure accountability in government spending.
Nkrumah highlights the government’s efforts to address corruption through various initiatives, including the Special Prosecutor’s Office and enhanced oversight mechanisms. He emphasizes the need for a multi-faceted approach to combatting corruption, combining robust enforcement measures with proactive transparency initiatives.
Despite the government’s assurances, critics remain skeptical of the Performance Tracker’s effectiveness in combating corruption. They argue that without addressing underlying governance issues, such as nepotism and lack of transparency, the tracker will fail to achieve its objectives.
In addition to addressing corruption concerns, critics also raise questions about the tracker’s methodology and data accuracy. They argue that without independent verification and oversight, the tracker’s data may be unreliable and subject to manipulation.
Furthermore, critics question the government’s commitment to transparency, citing instances of opacity and lack of accountability in project procurement and contracting. They call for greater transparency and public scrutiny of government spending to ensure accountability and prevent corruption.
The government’s Performance Tracker has come under scrutiny for its failure to address allegations of corruption and nepotism. Critics argue that without addressing these systemic issues, the tracker will be ineffective in promoting transparency and accountability. As calls for greater transparency and integrity in governance grow louder, the government faces mounting pressure to address these concerns and restore public trust in its operations.
Source: My Joy Online
