Speaking at an ongoing orientation programme for MMDCEs in Accra, President Mahama underscored his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance.

He reminded the appointees that their actions will directly impact the success of his government and the trust of the people they serve.

He revealed that 80 percent of the District Assembly Common Fund has been allocated directly to the MMDCEs and urged them to manage the funds prudently to address the developmental needs of their districts.

“I will not shield anyone from investigations if anti-corruption institutions begin probing your activities. You are expected to work with integrity and ensure that every cedi is accounted for,” the President stated.

Mahama also reiterated his directive for all MMDCEs to declare their assets by July 15, 2025, in accordance with constitutional provisions. He warned that any appointee who fails to comply will face consequences.

The orientation is designed to equip the new MMDCEs with the tools and knowledge required to effectively carry out their responsibilities in line with the government’s development agenda.

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Richard Ahiagbah, speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday, February 18, stressed the NPP’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

“We [The NPP] Have No Record Of Running Away; We’ll Be Here,” he stated firmly.

Mr. Ahiagbah’s comments come amid calls for accountability from various quarters of the public as the country transitions into a new political administration.

Until recently, the Office of the Special Prosecutor had declared former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta a fugitive on the country’s wanted list. The sick cousin of the former President, according to his lawyers, had told the Chief of Staff about his medical condition, his decision to seek treatment abroad, and availability when needed.

“We’ll Deal With The Issues Here. It Was The NDC Members Who Ran Away. My Own Sister, Sedinam Tamakloe, Disappeared. She Was Tried In Absentia, But She Ought To Be Here. Our Party Has No History Of Our Officials Fleeing From Accountability.”

According to Mr. Ahiagbah, the NPP’s priority remains focused on preparing for the 2028 elections while ensuring that its members answer any questions regarding their stewardship.

“Our Preoccupation Is How We Get Our Party Situated And Contest The 2028 Election. Matters To Do With Accountability—Our People Will Be Here To Answer The Questions,” he assured.

Revealing the directive from the former President, he noted, “There’s An Effective Commitment Right From The Former President Himself. He Has Given A Directive To Ensure That Our People Are Available To Do That.

“I Just Don’t Want To Go Into The Details Of What He Said, But There Is That Disposition From The Former President—An Indication To Stay And Make Sure That You Account For [Your Stewardship].”

Defending the Akufo-Addo administration’s record, Mr. Ahiagbah expressed confidence that history will judge the government favourably.

“We Came To Do The Best We Can. And I Believe That When The Dust Settles, Ghana Will See What We Have Done For The Eight Years,” he said.

His criticism follows recent remarks by Nana Sarfo Oduro, who stated that the GFA is not obligated to be accountable to the public.

“The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is accountable to the football people. It is an organization. We are accountable to each and every football club. The association is made up of individual clubs. We are not accountable to supporters or Ghanaians,” Oduro Sarfo stated.

Reacting to these comments, Alhaji Grusah, owner of King Faisal Football Club, decried what he described as a lack of transparency within the GFA.

He also criticized the culture of silence during the association’s Congress sessions, where opportunities for clubs to demand accountability are reportedly stifled.

“The clubs in Ghana are useless clubs,” he told Asempa FM’s Sports Nite. “We don’t have sponsorships, we can’t buy balls, but when we go to Congress, they (GFA) don’t account anything to us and nobody is allowed to speak or ask questions.

He further urged football clubs to seize this moment as a wake-up call to demand proper accountability from the GFA leadership.

“What Sarfo Oduro said on accountability will make the clubs come back to their senses.”

Oduro’s comments come at a time when the GFA faces increased scrutiny, with fans calling for greater transparency and engagement following the Black Stars’ failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

In an interview with Asempa FM‘s Sports Nite, Oduro emphasized the structural framework of the GFA, explaining its primary responsibility is to the football clubs that comprise its membership.

“The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is accountable to the football people. It is an organization. We are accountable to each and every football club. The association is made of individual clubs,” he stated.

While acknowledging the passion of football supporters, Oduro underscored that the GFA’s formal governance is directed by its member clubs, not the broader populace.

“We are not accountable to supporters or Ghanaians,” he reiterated, highlighting that the association’s accountability lies exclusively within its organizational structure.

The GFA has faced mounting criticism in recent weeks, particularly after the national team’s inability to secure a spot in the upcoming AFCON tournament, sparking widespread disappointment among fans.

Speaking on Joy News, he remarked that it is the citizen’s right for the government to be accountable, stating it makes the Minority’s request mandatory.

In his opinion, the well-meaning people of Ghana must be equipped with information on how the government is managing the novel virus in terms of finances.

“Whether people have gotten medications or not we must hold our government responsible for the things they do, it is necessary. It is not about the Minority. It is for government to also come out and tell us their expenditure on COVID and what they have done with COVID money so far,’’ he stressed.

He further explained that the ‘agenda 88’ and other social amenities needed to manage the pandemic are part of COVID plans and should be included in the discussion.

“The Simlo packages, the hospitals they say they are building so far, how much has gone into the building of the agenda 88 hospitals?’’ he quizzed.

He admonished the same energy should be invested in the ‘fellow Ghanaians’ COVID update.

On the address, Mr Ayariga reminded that the respiratory virus is still lurking around and urged President Nana Akufo-Addo to continue the address.

“Now they don’t say it anymore, people think that because the President will not give us update COVID is gone. COVID is not gone go to your hospital people are dying on daily basis and nobody is talking about it, nobody is saying anything. We are reducing every day and the numbers are going down. And the numbers of COVID are going high, and Ghanaian numbers are going down. We are dying and nobody is saying anything,’’ he bemoaned.

Mr Ayariga urged Ghanaians to strictly adhere to COVID-19 protocols since the pandemic is far from over.