By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has called for major changes in Ghana’s public sector to help reduce corruption and improve national development.
Speaking in an interview, he said the best way to fight corruption is to start from the basics by paying workers well. According to him, when salaries are too low, people are more likely to look for illegal ways to make extra money.
“We must tackle corruption from the beginning,” he said. “If people are paid well, they won’t be forced to seek improper top-ups.”
Kufuor also pointed out that poor salaries lead to low productivity. He referred to a common saying: “The state pretends to pay the worker, and the worker pretends to work,” adding that this must change if the country wants strong institutions.
He further explained that the public sector handles too many duties, leaving little room for the private sector to grow. He believes the government should share some of its responsibilities so that private businesses can perform better.
“The public sector takes on too much,” he said. “We must share the burden and let the private sector work.”
On accountability, the former president questioned how many people actually read the Auditor-General’s reports and ensure that problems identified in those reports are fixed quickly. He said Ghana must take such reports seriously if it wants progress.
He also urged the Attorney-General to prosecute people only when there is clear evidence, instead of allowing the public to judge individuals without a fair trial.
“If the Attorney-General has evidence, he should take people to court,” he said. “People should not be judged outwardly.”
Kufuor spoke about the tough nature of politics, saying that even close family members can fight each other for power.
“As a politician, I understand power play,” he said. “Even twins can destroy each other for power.”
He ended by encouraging Ghanaians to use their votes wisely. He believes good leaders are elected when citizens make informed choices.
“When citizens vote wisely, leaders become good politicians, and politics becomes cleaner,” he added.
Kufuor’s interview highlighted his belief that fair pay, strong institutions, and responsible voting are key to building a better Ghana.
