President Nana Akufo-Addo has defended his administration’s efforts to combat corruption in Ghana, citing various measures to eradicate the scourge.
Speaking at the Ghana Bar Association conference in Kumasi on Monday, September 9, 2024, the president highlighted significant upgrades in the legal administration system, which he said were already producing results.
“We’ve taken strong, systemic steps to combat corruption, rooted in a holistic program of legislative, administrative, financial, and technological reforms,” he said.
“We’ve established the Office of the Special Prosecutor, a critical institution in the fight against corruption, and we’ve provided them with the necessary tools to prosecute those who seek to enrich themselves at the expense of the Ghanaian people.”
The president also cited the passage of key laws, including the Witness Protection Act in 2018 and the Critical Offences Amendment Act of 2020, which elevated corruption from a misdemeanour to a felony with harsher sentences of 12 to 25 years in prison.
“In addition, my administration has driven the passage of several key laws that bolster the state’s ability to fight corruption,” he said.
“These frameworks, among others, have strengthened the institutional framework to combat corruption and ensure accountability.”
The president’s comments come amid criticism from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), civil society organizations, and a section of Ghanaians, who have raised concerns about the impact of corruption on national development.
However, President Akufo-Addo maintained that his administration has taken far-reaching measures to combat corruption, including administrative reforms.
“We’re committed to ensuring that our institutions are robust and effective in the fight against corruption,” he said.