Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of Asogli, has raised concerns about the prevailing issue of corruption in Ghana, which he believes is tarnishing the nation's democratic reputation and hindering its development.In a speech delivered at the second edition of the Asogli Yam Festival Anti-Corruption Day Celebration in Ho, Togbe Afede highlighted corruption as the primary impediment to Ghana's progress.

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He stressed that political leaders, motivated by personal gain rather than national service, were perpetuating this problem, and immediate action was necessary to reverse the trend.Addressing the steady stream of corrupt practices plaguing the country, Togbe Afede remarked, "Our political elite have replaced our colonial masters in a more ruthless scramble for our resources.

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If you want to understand why they invest so heavily in political campaigns and appointments, the answer lies in their desire to gain control of our resources, rather than pursuing genuine leadership, at least for the majority of them."The event, held in the forecourt of the Asogli palace, coincided with the birthday of Ghana's first President.

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Togbe Afede lamented how Ghana, once ahead of the Asian tigers in economic prosperity, had fallen behind due to a failure to achieve the ideals set out in the 1992 constitution and the vision of the country's founding fathers.He attributed Ghana's chaotic economic situation to a combination of factors, including inadequate planning, inconsistent economic management, and poor monetary policies.

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Togbe Afede also pointed out other issues such as dishonesty, partisanship, cronyism, and tribalism contributing to the nation's woes.However, Togbe Afede emphasized that corruption was not limited to politicians alone but had become deeply ingrained in Ghanaian culture. He called for a united effort to combat corruption, urging action against even "parasitic" public officials who hid behind confidentiality and secrecy.

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Togbe Afede stressed that weak institutions and corrupt attitudes remained part of the problem, yet the nation retained the resources for a turnaround. Therefore, he urged all Ghanaians to come together and fight corruption."We can turn Ghana around through honesty, hard work, and genuine love for our nation. But it requires leadership. Leadership encourages us to work together and do things differently.

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Leadership that respects the truth and eschews divisiveness," he concluded.The anti-corruption event witnessed the presence of several dignitaries, including traditional and religious leaders, heads of government agencies, and political leaders.Mr. Daniel Yao Dormelevo, a former Auditor General and a staunch anti-corruption campaigner, described corruption as the deadliest disease to afflict Ghana.

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He called for reforms, including the establishment of a robust public financial management system, strict asset declaration rules, and fiscal decentralization.Mr. Dormelevo also proposed the idea of "commercialising the prosecution of corruption," empowering individuals to expose corruption for a fee.Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe called upon prominent voices to speak out against the prevailing corruption and abuse of power.

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This year's Yam Festival also marked the 20th anniversary of Togbe Afede's installation as the Agbogbomefia, a prominent figure known for his unwavering stance against corruption and bad governance in Ghana.

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