There has always been the call for countries to honour their heroes, who symbolise the values and aspi­rations of society, while alive, to avoid risking forgetting history and diminishing sense of national pride.

Responding to this call, the West Africa International Press Limited (WAIPL), last Wednesday, honoured 23 distinguished Ghanaians and institutions that have played significant roles in the coun­try’s socio-political develop­ment.

They included Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, a founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and Professor Paul Kofi Fynn, Chancellor and Founder of Wisconsin Inter­national University College, Ghana.

They were joined by other personalities to re­ceive awards, at the WAIPL’s 2025 Eminent Africans Glob­al Integrity Conference and Awards, organised in Accra, for defending human rights, promoting good governance and empowering communities in the country.

Speaking at the event, Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe, warned that Ghana risked a mass revolt if entrenched corruption within both political and judicial systems was not addressed.

He accused successive gov­ernments since independence of perpetuating corruption, which according to him was a national cancer that perme­ated all levels of leadership, including the youth entering politics.

Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe, a retired military officer, lamented “the country’s slow progress despite gaining in­dependence over six decades ago,” drawing comparisons with Malaysia, which he said, started on a similar footing with Ghana, but has far out­paced the West African nation in development.

He expressed worry that the country’s growing disillu­sionment with both political and military leadership could trigger dangerous consequenc­es.

Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe voiced deep concern about the ju­diciary, describing it as ‘very disturbing’ and ‘corrupt’.

The Executive Director of the Ghana Integrity Initia­tive (GII), Mrs Mary Awelana Addah, noted that systemic corruption endured not only because of those who com­mitted it, but also due to the fact that leaders remained silent or refused to act.

She stated that “corrup­tion persists in the country because leaders often protect their own instead of ensuring justice and accountability.”

Mrs Addah, speaking on the theme of the event: “It is Time to Raise Men and Wom­en of Conscience in Africa”, noted that corruption contin­ued to thrive because leaders often protected their own instead of upholding justice and accountability.

She reminded Ghanaians that sustainable development could not be achieved when corruption remained un­checked.

The Chief Executive Of­ficer (CEO) of WAIPL, Dr Dee Otibu-Asare, commended the awardees for their roles in shaping national conversa­tions, promoting good govern­ance, defending human rights, and empowering communities.

She said that, “Your efforts reflect the kind of bold and ethical leadership Africa needs to advance.”

Dr Otibu-Asare underscored the importance of celebrating individuals who make signifi­cant contributions to society but are often overlooked.

Other awardees, include Chief Alhassan Andani, Mr Mensah Thompson, Rev. Nii- Noi Mensah, Mrs Mary Awelana Addah, Mr Listowell Nana Kusi-Poku, Nana Bobie Ansah, Mr Blessed Godsbrain Smart, Mr Daniel Baah Acheamfuor, Media General Ghana, Mad­am Felicia Twumasi, Apostle Femor Gavin, and Archbishop Stella Dartey.

 By Stephanie Birikorang