Austin Kwabena Brako-Powers, a private legal practitioner, has launched a blistering attack on the New Patriotic Party (NPP), accusing it of attempting to shield corrupt officials from the previous Akufo-Addo administration. He argues that the NPP’s purported inaction on corruption undermines the public interest and perpetuates a culture of impunity. Brako-Powers emphasizes the urgent need for President John Dramani Mahama to initiate thorough investigations and prosecute individuals implicated in corrupt practices, particularly within the School Feeding Programme, a government initiative designed to provide meals to schoolchildren. He labels the Akufo-Addo government as the “most corrupt regime Ghana has had since independence,” setting the stage for a potentially explosive confrontation between the current administration and its predecessor.
Brako-Powers’ critique extends beyond accusations of corruption to encompass the NPP’s internal struggles. He asserts that the party is grappling with deep-seated discontent among its members, stemming from unresolved issues that predate the 2024 election defeat. This internal turmoil, he argues, is exacerbated by the party’s perceived failure to address these critical concerns, leading to a festering wound that hinders its ability to recover and rebuild. The lawyer highlights a sense of disillusionment within the NPP ranks, suggesting that the party’s current approach is inadequate to heal the rifts and move forward effectively. He calls for a more proactive and transparent engagement with internal dissent to foster unity and address the root causes of the party’s current predicament.
The School Feeding Programme, a social intervention designed to improve nutrition and educational outcomes for children, has become a focal point of Brako-Powers’ allegations of corruption. He calls for a meticulous investigation into the programme’s operations under the Akufo-Addo administration, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency. His demand for prosecution of anyone found culpable signifies a call for concrete action, moving beyond mere accusations to actual legal consequences. This focus on the School Feeding Programme highlights the potential vulnerability of social welfare programmes to corruption and underscores the importance of robust oversight mechanisms to safeguard public funds and ensure that these programmes serve their intended beneficiaries.
Brako-Powers’ accusations paint a picture of an NPP struggling to reconcile its past with its present. The alleged attempts to shield former officials from corruption investigations, combined with the internal dissent stemming from unresolved internal conflicts, portray a party in crisis. His insistence on holding individuals accountable, particularly within the School Feeding Programme, underscores a broader concern about the erosion of public trust and the potential for corruption to undermine vital social programmes.
The lawyer’s public condemnation of the NPP represents a significant challenge to the party’s narrative and its attempts to regain public confidence after its electoral defeat. By directly calling upon President Mahama to take action, Brako-Powers seeks to leverage the power of the current administration to hold the previous government accountable. This strategy aims to bypass any perceived internal resistance within the NPP to addressing these corruption allegations and places the onus on the current government to demonstrate its commitment to transparency and good governance.
Brako-Powers’ call for a thorough investigation into the School Feeding Programme, coupled with his insistence on prosecuting those found guilty, sets a high bar for accountability. His stance reflects a growing demand for transparency and integrity in public office, particularly within social welfare programmes that directly impact vulnerable populations. His sharp criticism of the NPP and his call for decisive action by the Mahama administration signal a potential shift in the political landscape, with a renewed focus on combating corruption and holding those in power accountable for their actions. This could lead to a heightened level of scrutiny of past government actions and a greater emphasis on transparency in future governance.
