President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reiterated his administration’s commitment to tackling corruption, asserting that allegations against government appointees were thoroughly investigated by independent institutions and largely found to be baseless.
Delivering his final State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Friday, January 3, 2024, President Akufo-Addo outlined key anti-corruption measures undertaken during his tenure. He expressed confidence in the progress made to strengthen institutional frameworks and ensure accountability within government operations.
The President highlighted the establishment of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) as a critical milestone in the fight against corruption. While acknowledging the initial scepticism surrounding the OSP’s creation, he noted its growing recognition as an effective tool in advancing Ghana’s anti-corruption agenda.
“Through robust institutional reforms and unwavering commitment, we have fortified the structures to enhance transparency and accountability,” President Akufo-Addo stated, expressing optimism about the sustainability of these efforts beyond his tenure.
“During my first term, we passed the Witness Protection Act in 2018, creating a framework to safeguard individuals who cooperate with law enforcement, especially in corruption cases. Furthermore, the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Act of 2020 elevated corruption from a misdemeanour to a felony, with harsher penalties of twelve (12) to twenty-five (25) years of imprisonment.
“We also enacted key laws, such as the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the Revenue Administration (Amendment) Act, and the Anti-Money Laundering Act, all of which have strengthened our institutional framework to combat corruption and ensure accountability.
“We ensured that all allegations of corruption levelled against appointees were duly investigated by independent institutions of the state, which generally dismissed them as unfounded,” he stated.
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