Renowned Ghanaian politician, economist and management consultant, Mr. Kwame Pianim says Ghana is fortunate to have a president in Prof. J.E.A. Mills who will not steal from the people.

According to Kwame Pianim, he has seen President Mills on at least two occasions return two ‘brown envelopes’ where they belong, a situation he said he did not see under John the first or John the second, in apparent reference to ex-presidents Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufuor’s regimes.

Mr. Pianim, one of lead discussants at the first Joy FM Debate 2009 held Monday morning at the Coconut Grove Hotel in Accra, was responding to a contributor’s question on why Ghana is not making much progress in her fight against corruption.

Mr. Pianim said Zero tolerance must involve everyone and must start from the top because countries noted for corruption have corrupt leaders, but he was happy Professor Mills is the President of Ghana because he can vouch that he will not steal from Ghanaians. The challenge however, is how he makes sure those below him also tow his line.

“To me if you go to any country where there is corruption, the head of state is corrupt, if he is not corrupt it won’t happen…and fortunately for Ghana now, we have a president that at least I will put my hand in the fire for, that he will not still from the people. I have seen him on two occasions give envelopes back and I didn’t see it happen under John the first or John the second but at least now we are progressing and we have a president who I think will not steal from the people. How is he going to make sure that the people below him will also not do that – that is the question.”

The Joy FM Debate 2009 was a collaboration between Coconut Grove Hotel and Joy FM. It was under the theme Building Concesus on a National Development Agenda.

Story by Isaac Yeboah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana