Physician and political analyst Dr. Arthur Kennedy has raised red flags over the controversial Agyapadie document, labeling it as a blueprint for state capture by the ruling government. During an appearance on Joy FM’s Newsfile, Dr. Kennedy expressed concerns about the alarming level of impunity and corruption within the public sector, warning of dire consequences if left unchecked.
Dr. Kennedy emphasized that state capture in Ghana goes beyond the physical sale of assets, pointing out the significant loss of funds due to corrupt practices such as fraudulent contract awards and inflated judgment debts. He highlighted that these corrupt practices have drained more resources from the public coffers compared to the sale of public assets.
The analyst voiced his worries about the culture of impunity in the country, cautioning that it could potentially lead to instability. Dr. Kennedy cited specific instances of alleged state capture, including the questionable awarding of a Covid-19 testing contract at Kotoka International Airport to an unregistered company at the time.
Despite the ruling New Patriotic Party dismissing the Agyapadie document as fake, Dr. Kennedy noted that many Ghanaians see connections between events in the document and current occurrences, casting doubt on its authenticity. He stressed the need to address the rampant greed and incompetence in the public sector, which he attributed to the transfer of public resources into private hands for personal gain.
The growing public frustration over perceived corruption and state capture, according to Dr. Kennedy, could lead to unforeseen outcomes if not addressed promptly. The analyst’s comments on the Agyapadie document have sparked discussions about transparency and accountability in Ghana’s governance.
