Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng has called for a radical overhaul of Ghana’s anti-corruption strategy, urging a shift from foreign theoretical frameworks to a more context-specific and practical approach rooted in the country’s socio-cultural fabric.
Speaking at the West Africa Regional Anti-Corruption Policy Dialogue in Accra, Agyebeng argued that current anti-corruption efforts often fall short because they fail to reflect the lived experiences and realities of Ghanaians.
“Theories do not match in their practice. Corrupt actors are becoming very ingenious. We cannot continue along the same path in addressing our assigned task,” he stated.
Agyebeng emphasized the need for a re-imagined fight against corruption that links directly to critical national needs such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
“If we re-conceptualise the fight against corruption in a functionally specific way — one that speaks to our context — then we can ensure that resources meant for educating girls or providing healthcare for children are actually delivered. That is what meaningful anti-corruption looks like,” Agyebeng explained.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor has submitted formal proposals to the Constitutional Review Committee, advocating for a dedicated chapter in the constitution on anti-corruption.
Agyebeng highlighted the importance of the constitution reflecting the nation’s collective commitment to fighting corruption, stating, “We have called for the constitutional process to express society’s will — its ‘opium’ — on corruption. When this happens, we can tackle the problem more forcefully and effectively.”
