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President Akufo-Addo Defends Anti-Corruption Record
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In a robust defense of his administration’s anti-corruption efforts at the Ghana Bar Association’s Annual Conference, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo outlined the wide-ranging reforms his government has implemented to combat corruption.
He emphasized that his administration’s approach has been rooted in legislative, administrative, and technological changes designed to strengthen accountability and transparency across all levels of government.
Central to this effort, according to President Akufo-Addo, was the creation of the Office of the Special Prosecutor, an independent institution tasked with investigating and prosecuting corruption cases.
He stated that this office, along with other legislative reforms, has provided Ghana with the necessary tools to tackle corruption head-on.
“We have established the Office of the Special Prosecutor, a critical institution in the fight against corruption, and we have provided it with the necessary tools to prosecute those who seek to enrich themselves at the expense of the Ghanaian people,” the President said.
President Akufo-Addo highlighted key legal reforms passed under his government, such as the Witness Protection Act (2018), the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Act (2020) – which elevated corruption to a felony – and the Anti-Money Laundering Act. These laws, he explained, have strengthened Ghana’s institutional capacity to hold individuals accountable for corrupt practices.
In addition to these legal reforms, President Akufo-Addo emphasized the importance of technology in minimizing opportunities for corruption. His government introduced digital platforms to manage public procurement processes, reducing human involvement and, consequently, the chances of corrupt dealings.
He cited the Auditor-General’s 2023 report, which showed a 32% reduction in financial irregularities within the public sector, attributing the improvement to these technological interventions.
Despite these reforms, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged that his administration has faced criticism from the opposition, particularly from National Democratic Congress (NDC) leader John Dramani Mahama, who has accused the government of being corrupt.
In his response, Akufo-Addo defended his administration, pointing out that credible public institutions had cleared both his government and family members of all allegations of misconduct.
He added, “I will leave it to the judgement of the Ghanaian public to decide whether it is preferable to be a ‘clearing agent’ or ‘Government Official One,’” referencing the infamous corruption scandal associated with the previous Mahama administration.
The President stressed that his government’s fight against corruption is ongoing, driven by a holistic framework of reforms that he believes will leave a lasting impact on Ghana’s governance.
He pointed out that since taking office in 2017, budgetary allocations for key anti-corruption institutions, including the Office of the Auditor-General, the Judiciary, the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO), and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), have seen unprecedented increases.
These measures, according to the President, demonstrate his administration’s firm commitment to eradicating corruption and enhancing accountability.
As his presidency draws to a close, President Akufo-Addo remains steadfast in defending his government’s anti-corruption record, underscoring that the fight against graft requires a long-term commitment that his administration has sought to institutionalize.
The 29th Annual Dagaaba-Frafra Friendly Games have once again demonstrated that sports can be a powerful vehicle for cultural preservation, business networking, friendship and peaceful coexistence.
Held at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra last Saturday, the games brought together members of the two ethnic groups from across Ghana and abroad for a colourful celebration under the theme, “Unity in Diversity: The Dagaaba-Frafra Model for Peaceful Co-existence.”
The event, which has evolved from a friendly football match into a major annual gathering, featured football, volleyball, sack races, lime and spoon, tug-of-peace and a penalty shootout for senior citizens.
At the end of the competitions, the Frafra won four events, while the Dagaaba secured victories in five, with the men’s soccer match ending in a draw.
The Frafra triumphed in the men’s lime and spoon, men’s sack race, women’s sack race and women’s soccer, while the Dagaaba won the women’s lime and spoon, men’s volleyball, women’s volleyball, women’s tug-of-peace and the senior citizens’ penalty shootout.
However, the games extended far beyond the sporting arena. The stadium grounds and surrounding spaces became a vibrant marketplace, with patrons enjoying and purchasing a variety of traditional foods, drinks and cultural products.
Local delicacies, including TZ, tubaani, bambara beans, pork, guinea fowl, local fowls, dog meat and kosie, were sold alongside traditional alcoholic beverages. Traditional dresses and other culturally inspired items also attracted buyers, turning the gathering into an important platform for small businesses and vendors to make sales while promoting northern Ghanaian culture.
The cultural exchange continued long after the final sporting contests, as patrons remained at the venue to eat, drink, socialise, dance and party well into the night.
In her remarks, the Guest of Honour, Dr Matilda Aberese-Ako, said the gathering represented much more than competition, describing the Dagaaba-Frafra relationship as a historic bond that had evolved into a modern sporting tradition and an instrument for peace.
MTN Ghana has been the headline sponsor for the games for the past 10 years.
By Gordon Wellu
By Gordon Wellu
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MTN Ghana has undertaken a tree-planting exercise at the Chipa Forest Reserve as part of its commitment to protecting the planet and support the restoration of degraded sections of the forest.
The activity forms part of the company’s 2026 Sustainability Month celebration held under the theme “Small Actions: Big Impact,” and its 30th anniversary celebration.
It was held in partnership with the Forestry Commission (FC) and the Rainforest Alliance with MTN Ghana supporting the restoration of approximately two hectares of degraded forest through the planting of 1,666 trees.
Due to the current dry weather conditions, 833 trees were planted during the exercise, with the remaining 833 to be planted when the rain commences.
The exercise brought together MTN employee volunteers, officials from the Forestry Commission and representatives of the Rainforest Alliance, demonstrating the importance of collaboration in driving environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the event, the Acting General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, emphasized the critical role trees play in sustaining life and protecting the environment.
“Trees are essential to human survival and healthy ecosystems. They absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, regulate temperatures, protect soil, support biodiversity and provide habitats for many species. They also conserve water, reduce erosion and help communities adapt to the effects of climate change,” she said.
The District Manager of the Tema-Ada Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission, Linda Ansah, welcomed MTN Ghana’s support, describing it as a valuable contribution to efforts aimed at restoring degraded sections of the reserve.
The Country Director of the Rainforest Alliance, Nicholas Jengri, also welcomed the partnership and emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges.
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