Greetings, my fellow Ghanaians.
Last Saturday, on Joyfm’s newsfile program, I stated that the former President, HE Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has an obligation to address his oversight activities during his Presidency while ” his Ministers were looting the country dry.” There has been quite a firestorm in response. This morning, I want to double down on that call. Here is why. First, article 58(1) states that “executive authority shall vest in the President”.
This is buttressed by 35(8) that states, “The state shall take steps to eradicate corrupt practices and abuse of power.” Furthermore, before taking office, NADAA pledged to, “protect the public purse”. He went on to warn that those seeking wealth in his government would be disappointed. I was energized by those promises and filled with pride as a proud Ghanaian.
Since he left office, his successor has described ” the whole Ghana” as “a crime scene” in relation to corruption. Professor Frimpong Boateng asserted in an interview that he was offered and declined a $5 million USD bribe in connection with a judgement debt. He claimed that he reported this to NADAA and nothing was done. Under these circumstances, I believe the former President has an obligation which is at least moral and probably legal to address how he fought corruption. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not to suggest that there was no corruption before NADAA.
There was but it crossed the “Pra river” under NADAA. While at it, we must stop this practice of only holding former government officials accountable. The state anti-corruption and law enforcement bodies, as well as Parliament must fight on-going malfeasance.
As Chales Amo-Asante said, ” Auditing does not stop stealing, it only reveals it.” Let’s fight corruption now.
Arthur Kobina Kennedy ( November 24th, 2025)