Executive Director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), Mary Awelana Addah, has commended the Attorney General’s recent update on the government’s anti-corruption efforts, describing it as a promising start, but warned that expectations are high and success will depend on sustained political will and meaningful outcomes.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme on Saturday, June 14, Mrs Addah responded to Attorney General Dominic Ayine’s June 13 briefing, which focused on the government’s anti-graft strategy and outlined progress under the “Operation Recover All Loots” (ORAL) agenda. The Attorney General highlighted several ongoing investigations, including those connected to alleged malfeasance at the National Service Secretariat.
“What he has done has not in any way indicted anybody. He has been able to establish a prima facie case of sorts, so he wants to pursue this agenda,” Addah stated.
She acknowledged that the Attorney General’s measured tone was both deliberate and strategic, noting that while it avoids sensationalism, it also sets the stage for a more process-driven approach to fighting corruption.
“The fight against corruption is a matter of perception and experience. There has been a lot that has been done to produce evidence,” she remarked.
Mrs Addah linked the high expectations surrounding the anti-corruption campaign to the return of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to government, with President John Mahama resuming office in January 2025.
“The people of Ghana who brought the NDC back to power are expecting that, per the ORAL agenda and other initiatives they put in place to fight corruption, we would see results,” she said.
She praised the political posture adopted by both President Mahama and the Attorney General in the early days of the new administration, describing it as refreshing and essential for building public trust.
“The optics thus far have been very good from the President and also the Attorney General. Usually, during the first year of a new government, we tend to see a lot of this good faith displayed. However, as time goes on, they often become defensive and start shielding their own,” Addah warned.
In what appeared to be both encouragement and a cautionary note, she said: “I believe in this case we should see a President who truly wishes to leave a legacy for the good people of Ghana.”
Looking ahead, the GII Executive Director emphasized the need for continued synergy between the Attorney General’s office and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), saying both institutions must reinforce each other to enhance Ghana’s anti-corruption architecture.
“If the Attorney General keeps this up, and the OSP continues its work as before, we will see Ghanaians wholeheartedly supporting this agenda. I believe we can make gains,” she noted.
But Mrs Addah stressed that accountability must extend beyond low-level offenders.
“I personally would want to see everyone who is guilty or complicit dealt with,” she said. “But often, when you examine the merits of the various cases, you may find little evidence against smaller players. If they can help build strong cases against the major perpetrators and bring them to justice, then that is a step in the right direction.”
