“I will leave it to the judgment of the Ghanaian public to decide whether it is preferable to be a ‘clearing agent’ or ‘Government Official One’”
Defending his government’s anti-corruption moves in Kumasi at the Ghana Bar Association’s Annual Conference, President Akufo-Addo highlighted some reforms put in place by his government to fight corruption.
President Akufo-Addo, whose term ends on January 6, 2025, strongly defends his government’s anti-corruption record, stating that addressing graft requires long-term dedication, which his administration has worked to establish.
He explained that his approach has been rooted in legislative, administrative, and technological changes designed to strengthen accountability and transparency across all levels of government.
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“Central to this effort was the creation of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), an independent institution tasked with investigating and prosecuting corruption cases”, he said.
According to President Akufo-Addo, “This office, along with other legislative reforms, has provided Ghana with the necessary tools to tackle corruption head-on.
“We have established the Office of the Special Prosecutor, a critical institution in the fight against corruption, and we have provided it with the necessary tools to prosecute those who seek to enrich themselves at the expense of the Ghanaian people,” he noted.
The President touched on several significant legal reforms passed under his government, such as the Witness Protection Act (2018), the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Act (2020) – which elevated corruption to a felony – and the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
“These laws have bolstered Ghana’s ability to hold individuals accountable for corrupt practices”, he said.
President Akufo-Addo disclosed that the government’s introduction of digital platforms to manage public procurement processes reduced human involvement and, consequently, the chances of corrupt dealings; citing the Auditor-General’s 2023 report, which showed a 32% reduction in financial irregularities within the public sector, attributing the improvement to these technological interventions.
In his defense against the regular accusation of corruption by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) leader, John Dramani Mahama, the President said credible public institutions had cleared both his government and family members of all allegations of misconduct.
“I will leave it to the judgment of the Ghanaian public to decide whether it is preferable to be a ‘clearing agent’ or ‘Government Official One,’” President Akufo-Addo said in reference to an infamous corruption scandal associated with the previous Mahama administration.
