Accra: Speakers at a national forum on corruption have called for stronger collaboration among the media, anti-corruption institutions, and the judiciary. The forum, organized by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) in collaboration with the Economic and Organised Crime Office and the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, with support from DW Akademie, focused on the role of the media in combating corruption.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Sulemana Briamah, Executive Director of the MFWA, highlighted the importance of investigative journalism as a tool for promoting transparency and accountability. However, he pointed out that despite these efforts, corruption continues to persist. He emphasized that merely exposing corruption does not always lead to accountability.
Mr. Briamah noted that while media investigations have uncovered major scandals and sparked national discussions, many cases have failed to result in sanctions, leading to eroded public trust. "Too often, stories that shape the nation fade without resolution. This is not only frustrating for journalists; it also risks eroding public trust in both the media and state institutions," he said.
Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayeni, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, in a speech read on his behalf, acknowledged the media's role in exposing corruption but stressed the need to transform revelations into prosecutable cases. He argued that the fight against corruption must extend beyond exposure to include credible investigations, successful prosecutions, and meaningful sanctions.
Mr. Vitus Azeem, an anti-corruption campaigner, identified inadequate resourcing of anti-corruption institutions as a major challenge. Meanwhile, Prof. Audrey Gadzekpo of the University of Ghana described the situation as concerning, despite existing laws and frameworks. She underscored the need for independent and robust investigative journalism.
Mr. Seth Bokpe, Associate Editor at The Fourth Estate, clarified that media scrutiny should not be seen as an attack on state institutions, emphasizing that journalists are fulfilling a constitutional mandate to demand accountability. Mr. Dickson Tweneboa-Kodua, a member of the Ghana Bar Association, asserted that the enforcement of anti-corruption laws must be pursued within the rule of law.
The forum brought together stakeholders from government, civil society, the media, and development partners to discuss practical ways to strengthen accountability and rebuild public trust in Ghana's anti-corruption efforts.