Accra: Former minister and media practitioner Kojo Yankah has addressed recent discussions surrounding former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, emphasizing the importance of accountability and responsibility for public officials. Yankah highlighted the influential role that decisions made by former public officials can play in shaping the expectations of future leaders.
According to Ghana Web, Yankah commented on the heightened scrutiny associated with the role of a finance minister, stating that it is one of the most prestigious positions within the cabinet. He noted that individuals who assume this role are well aware of the responsibilities and the public attention it entails. Yankah underscored that no former finance ministers, including Kwesi Botchwey, Richard Kwame Peprah, Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, and Seth Terkper, have sought refuge abroad after their tenure.
Yankah further remarked that public office is not only governed by legal frameworks but also by social values and expectations. He asserted that the laws of Ghana, as well as the values upheld in local communities and religious institutions, remain constant, although the individuals holding public positions may change. Yankah cautioned that the decisions made by public officials not only impact their immediate legacy but also shape historical narratives.
In his concluding remarks, Yankah warned that setting a precedent of fleeing abroad after serving in a high-profile public office could have detrimental effects on the historical record of the Republic of Ghana.