The Founding President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has sharply criticized the government’s handling of efforts to recover stolen funds from the National Service Scheme (NSS) scandal. He described the current approach as “weak and inefficient.”
Mr. Cudjoe’s comments follow Deputy Attorney General Srem-Sai’s revelation that one of the suspects offered to voluntarily return GH₵560,000 as part of a restitution deal.
In a Facebook post, Franklin Cudjoe questioned why suspects are being allowed to dictate repayment terms, advocating for a more robust and structured legal process to recover state funds. “How are they the ones to dictate how much they are willing to return? This is NOT an optimal approach!” he exclaimed.
The Imani Boss recommended a more effective method, suggesting civil action or intervention from the Auditor-General’s office. “At the least, initiate civil action in court or even better get the Auditor-General to conduct a review or special limited audit in record time on all suspects, then surcharge them,” he advised.
According to Mr. Cudjoe, if suspects fail to contest the surcharges within 60 days, the law compels them to comply, which could lead to asset seizure and potential jail terms. “If, after 60 days, they are unable to contest the amounts, they are compelled by law to do so, which includes attachments of their properties, whilst, of course, jail time should be lurking in the shadows,” he stated.
Franklin Cudjoe concluded his statement with a nostalgic call for the return of former Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelevo, known for his firm stance on public accountability. “Where is Daniel Yaw Domelevo when it matters, to teach our new kids on the block how to chase looters?”
He ended with a direct plea to President John Dramani Mahama: “We need to recover the loot please, Mr. President.”