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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to combat corruption, claiming that accusations against government officials were carefully examined by impartial organizations and were mainly determined to be unfounded.
On Friday, January 3, 2024, President Akufo-Addo gave his last State of the Nation Address (SONA), outlining the main anti-corruption initiatives he has implemented during his administration. He conveyed his faith in the advancements achieved in fortifying institutional frameworks and guaranteeing accountability in government operations.
The creation of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) was cited by the President as a significant turning point in the battle against corruption. He acknowledged the early skepticism about the OSP’s establishment but also pointed out that it is becoming increasingly recognized as a useful instrument for furthering Ghana’s anti-corruption goals.
“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,” President Akufo-Addo said.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
