The Acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Gaming Commission of Ghana, Lamtiig Apanga, has rejected claims that ongoing investigations involving some former government officials are politically motivated, insisting that public officers must be prepared to account for their actions while in office.
According to him political parties should focus on encouraging their members to cooperate with state institutions rather than warning that political fortunes could change and the situation would be reversed in the future.
Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, July 18, he criticised comments by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) suggesting that the current government’s actions could come back against its members if power changes hands.
“You don’t hear them say that let’s ensure the right thing is done. What you hear them say is that the table will turn. Which table is going to turn? There’s no table that will turn,” he said.
According to him, holding public office is a responsibility that requires officials to be accountable for decisions taken during their tenure.
“You are not winning any election to turn anything. Ghanaians are expecting you to be able to be accountable. You had the opportunity to serve this country, you held public office in trust. It is time for you to account for your public stewardship,” he added.
His comments come amid ongoing investigations by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) involving some former officials of the previous administration, including Dennis Miracles Aboagye.
Miracles Aboagye, a former Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation, is being investigated over alleged financial and procurement-related irregularities amounting to about GH¢55 million during his tenure.
He has denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that all actions taken under his leadership were within the confines of the law.
Following his arrest and interrogation by EOCO, Mr. Aboagye was granted bail of GH¢50 million with three sureties as investigations continue.
The NPP has described the arrests and investigations involving some of its members as political persecution, arguing that they are being targeted because of their political affiliation.
However, Apanga maintained that accountability in public service should not be viewed through a political lens, stressing that former office holders must respond to legitimate inquiries from state institutions.
He said allowing officials to appear before investigative bodies when invited is critical to restoring public confidence in governance and ensuring that public resources are properly accounted for.
