A director of one of Ghana’s anti-corruption agencies, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has been suspended. He had asked the government to lead the fight against corruption.
Fred Dzeny who heads the office in Eastern Ghana was suspended Monday 5 November for exposing the office to public ridicule.
His suspension has called into question the government’s commitment to the fight against corruption.
What did Dzeny say?
Speaking on the sidelines of a roundtable discussion on ‘The Youth in the Fight Against Corruption in Ghana’ in Koforidua a town in Eastern Ghana, Dzeny tasked the government to exhibit the political will to prosecute corrupt officials within it before prosecuting others.
“The ruling government should be ready first and foremost to prosecute their own when the slightest incident of corruption is raised against the ruling government then they can also get the guts to prosecute the opposition,” he said.
EOCO reaction
Dzeny’s comments however, drew condemnation from the hierarchy of EOCO. The office in a statement dissociated itself from the comments, stating that they were personal expressions and views of Dzeny.
The statement further noted that the Office considers “his conduct as against the ethical and professional standards of the Office”, suspending him in the process.
It also referred the matter to the appropriate unit for investigation.
Suspension unfair, overkill
A movement of Ghanaians against corruption described as shocking and incomprehensible the suspension of Dzeny.
The co-chairman of the movement Edem Senanu told Accra-based Starr FM the suspension was unfortunate.
“I can’t for the life of me begins to understand what it is he has done wrong to the extent that he has been suspended. Listening honestly to the commentary I cannot find the reason for which he has been suspended,” he said.
“The man was fair and objective. I can’t understand why he was suspended. It is like a kneejerk reaction. This is overkill. It is really an over kill,” he added.
Source: Africafeeds.com
