Ernesto Yeboah Questions Feasibility of Mahama’s Promise to Recover Stolen Funds

   Ernesto Yeboah, leader of the Economic Fighters League (EFL), has expressed skepticism about the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration’s ability to effectively carry out its promise to recover looted state funds, a central feature of its Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative. In a compelling opinion piece, Yeboah cautioned Ghanaians to temper their excitement over the NDC’s electoral victory and its stated commitment to fighting corruption, suggesting that the reality of the political landscape is much more complicated than it appears.

Yeboah’s critique focuses on the substantial financial resources invested by the NDC in their election campaign. He highlighted the high-profile media campaigns, the hiring of foreign consultants, and the significant amounts of money reportedly distributed in constituencies, all of which raised questions about the NDC’s priorities. The party, according to Yeboah, spent large sums to win votes, with some households allegedly receiving up to GH¢10,000, while individuals were handed GH¢1,000 or more. He drew attention to the apparent contradiction between the NDC’s promise to recover stolen funds and the vast amounts they were spending to secure political power.

Yeboah argued that the NDC, much like the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is part of a political duopoly that controls Ghana’s political system. He believes that both major parties operate in tandem, engaging in similar corrupt practices and using their political influence for personal gain. The heavy spending by both parties during the election campaigns, he argued, is a reflection of this system, where money is used to maintain power and manipulate the electorate. The sudden drop in the dollar’s exchange rate from GH¢17 to GH¢14, he pointed out, could be another sign of the political elite’s ability to control the nation’s economic landscape for their own benefit.

Yeboah emphasized that while many people voted for change out of frustration with the NPP, it should not be mistaken for a punishment of the party. He argued that the NPP officials were not suffering from the loss of power, but rather were relieved to pass the torch to the NDC. According to Yeboah, members of the NPP had already accumulated significant wealth during their time in office and were simply waiting for the right moment to retire and enjoy their ill-gotten gains. He also referenced reports of members of the NPP being in poor health, suggesting that their lavish lifestyles had taken a toll on them, further reinforcing the notion that they were not being punished, but rather allowed to step back and enjoy their spoils.

Yeboah further criticized the idea that any significant recovery of looted funds would be possible under the current political system. He pointed to the recent National Service payroll scandal as just one small example of the widespread corruption that plagues both the NPP and the NDC. He argued that these incidents of corruption were not isolated, but rather indicative of a larger problem within Ghana’s political structure. He described the behavior of the political elite as “deliberate mischief” or disengagement, where both parties actively participate in a corrupt system that benefits them and leaves ordinary Ghanaians as powerless pawns.

Yeboah’s central argument is that the promises of recovering looted funds made by the NDC should be viewed with skepticism. He expressed concern that the political system in Ghana is rigged in favor of the elite, with ordinary citizens caught in a cycle of manipulation. He suggested that the real issue facing Ghana is not just corruption but the broader political structure that enables it. In his view, Ghanaians are not living in a true democracy, but rather in a system controlled by the political elite, where the people are left to watch as their resources are plundered.

Yeboah urged Ghanaians to critically assess the situation and recognize that the hope for a real recovery of looted funds may be unrealistic. While the NDC’s anti-corruption promises may sound appealing, the system that supports both the NPP and NDC is unlikely to change. He encouraged citizens to wake up to the reality of their situation and to question whether the current political system can ever bring about meaningful change. According to Yeboah, true change will only come when Ghanaians reject the corrupt practices of the political elite and demand a system that genuinely serves their interests.