The 2016 presidential candidate of the Peoples National Convention (PNC) Dr Edward Mahama has assured that his government will dismiss ministers of state found guilty of corruption to deter others from using such positions to amass wealth for themselves at the expense of the state.

According to him, corruption has been the main challenge inhibiting the country’s progress and its ability to engage in infrastructural development.

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Speaking at this year’s presidential debate by the Institute of Economic Affairs, Dr Mahama said: “The simple simple things we need to do to make the system work and functional, we are not doing it. Corruption at the ports...if we cut it government will have the money. So basically the infrastructure we need to build; we have the money to do it if we plug the loopholes through which individuals are siphoning government funds and that is I would do as president.”

“I will fire any minister that is corrupt. Sometimes they just reposition them, we have seen it. If you are a sports minister and you have chopped some money they take you to the presidency or something. That must stop. We must crack the whip and crack it properly,” Dr Mahama added.

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Three out of seven contesting candidates took part in this year’s presidential debate by the Institute of Economic Affairs. The IEA has this year struggled to get the full complement of presidential aspirants for its presidential debate series organized every election year.

The three  candidates in this year’s debate were; Dr. Edward Nasigre Mahama(PNC), Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom(PPP) and Jacob Osei Yeboah, an independent candidate.

The IEA had earlier stated all was set to hold the debate that many expected to feature the two leading candidates in the 2016 presidential race.

Unfortunately, the governing National Democratic Congress’ John Dramani Mahama and the New Patriotic Party’s Nana Akufo-Addo were not present.

Former first lady and presidential candidate of the National Democratic Party Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings and the CPP flagbearer, Ivor Greenstreet did not also take part in the debate.

Dubbed IEA Presidential Townhall 2016, the event focused on issues regarding the economy and private sector development.