Former Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party, Freddie Blay, has voiced disagreement with the assessment by former Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, that Ghana has become poorer due to corruption.

Blay acknowledged the imperative to curb corruption but rejected the notion that Ghana is now poorer due to this issue.

He emphasized, "Corruption is a canker that we must all fight, but I disagree with him that we have become poorer.

This country has not gone poorer. We are not rich; we are inching towards a middle-income country among the comity of nations."

During an interview on the January 14 edition of Hot Issues with Keminni Amanor, Blay contested Afari-Gyan's assertion made during the Constitution Day Public Lecture.

Mr Afari-Gyan had stated, "Over the years, we have become poorer as a nation and as a people, mainly due to pervasive corruption, particularly in the public sector."

Mr Blay stressed that while Ghana may not be as affluent as some countries, it is not definitively poorer.

He expressed the belief that governance should focus on reducing poverty and enhancing the quality of life for the people, stating, "We can do better, I believe."