Accra: Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has called for decisive measures to enhance Ghana's anti-corruption framework to effectively combat corruption. She highlighted concerns over the country's recent performance on major corruption indicators, which has raised alarms about public confidence and Ghana's global image.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Vice President made this appeal at a High-Level Conference on Ghana's Anti-Corruption Architecture in Accra, organized by the African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption (AUABC). The conference aimed to assess Ghana's progress in accountability and anti-corruption under the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, ratified by Ghana in 2007.
Prof Opoku-Agyemang emphasized that while Ghana's anti-corruption framework is supported by strong legislation, such as the Criminal Offences Act and the Whistleblowers Act, the country's performance on corruption indices has stagnated. Ghana's score on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) remained at 43 in 2022 and 2023, but declined to 42 in 2024, indicating a drop in public trust.
The Vice President highlighted a 2022 report by the Ghana Statistical Service, which revealed a loss of nearly five billion Ghana cedis due to bribery in one year. To address these issues, she proposed reforms, including the enactment and enforcement of Unexplained Wealth Orders and a shift in the burden of proof in corruption cases.
Prof Opoku-Agyemang also stressed the need for sustainable financing for anti-corruption institutions and a comprehensive legislative framework for regulating political party and election financing. She acknowledged President John Dramani Mahama's efforts in strengthening anti-corruption systems, including the establishment of Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) and a Code of Conduct for presidential appointees.
The Vice President outlined five key pillars for revitalizing the anti-corruption framework: cooperation among anti-corruption agencies, strategic partnerships with the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), building confidence in accountability systems, legislative and policy reforms, and strengthening the Attorney General's Office.
Dr Joseph Whittal, Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), emphasized the importance of stakeholder collaboration in combating corruption. Mr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, noted that institutional courage and ethical leadership are critical in this effort.
Madam Yvonne Mutepuka Chibiya, AUABC Board Member, commended Ghana's steps toward enhancing national accountability and reaffirmed the AUABC's support for the country's anti-corruption strategies.