President Akufo-Addo touts anti-corruption achievements in final address
In his final State of the Nation Address (SONA) on January 3, 2025, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo passionately defended his government’s record in fighting corruption, emphasising the substantial investments made in accountability institutions.
The president outlined significant funding increments across key state bodies that he argued have been instrumental in the fight against corruption and the strengthening of Ghana’s institutions.
President Akufo-Addo noted that the Ghana Police Service had received a staggering 274% increase in funding, while the Audit Service saw a 258% boost, and the Office of the Attorney General’s budget was raised by 162%.
He explained that these investments were part of a deliberate strategy to enhance the effectiveness of these institutions and ensure that they had the necessary tools to hold public officials accountable.
A central achievement in the anti-corruption drive was the creation of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
Initially met with scepticism, the office has grown into a vital entity in the fight against corruption, and President Akufo-Addo praised its work in tackling high-profile corruption cases.
He stressed that the establishment of the OSP symbolised his government’s unwavering commitment to confronting corruption head-on, a stance that defined his leadership.
Turning to legislative measures, the president highlighted key reforms, including the passage of the Criminal Offences Amendment Act of 2020.
This law elevated corruption from a misdemeanour to a felony, with harsher penalties ranging from 12 to 25 years in prison for offenders.
President Akufo-Addo pointed to this legislation as a clear indication of the government’s determination to send a strong message against corruption.
The introduction of the Witness Protection Act in 2018 was another landmark initiative designed to protect individuals who cooperate with law enforcement in corruption cases.
This act, along with the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the Revenue Administration Amendment Act, and the Anti-Money Laundering Act, strengthened the country’s legal and institutional framework for tackling corruption, ensuring that those who dared to expose wrongdoings were protected and supported.
President Akufo-Addo also addressed the numerous corruption allegations levelled against his appointees, asserting that all such claims had been thoroughly investigated by independent state institutions.
He emphasised that in the majority of cases, these investigations had cleared his appointees, dismissing the allegations as unfounded.
This, he said, was a testament to the strength and independence of Ghana’s accountability institutions.
In addition to corruption reforms, the president discussed the financial sector reforms implemented under his administration.
President Akufo-Addo described these reforms as necessary to safeguard the integrity of Ghana’s banking system, which had faced serious challenges before his tenure.
He noted that the government had acted swiftly to address irregularities in banks and financial institutions, ensuring that no depositor lost their money during the financial crisis.
“Our actions ensured that not a single depositor lost their money, an unprecedented achievement in financial crisis management,” President Akufo-Addo stated proudly.
He added that these reforms had helped create a more robust, stable, and resilient banking sector, one that was better equipped to support economic growth and contribute to the aspirations of the Ghanaian people.
As President Akufo-Addo prepared to leave office, he expressed his pride in the legacy of institutional strengthening and policy reforms his administration would leave behind.
“We equipped our institutions with the tools to act, ensuring transparency and accountability for generations to come,” he concluded, leaving a message of optimism for the future.