Fight against corruption has stagnated under Akufo-Addo - Domelevo

Former Auditor-General and anti-corruption crusader, Daniel Yaw Domelevo, has expressed disappointment in the present state of the fight against corruption in Ghana.

In an interview on the State of Affairs show on GHOne TV with Lantam Papanko, Mr. Domelovo stated, “My hopes were very high prior to the 2016 election. The president made it very clear that if you wanted to make money then you have no room in his administration, then go to the private sector.”

He added that his hopes increased when the government started giving more money to the Auditor-General and anti-corruption institutions because he knew people were going to be held accountable.

However, Mr. Domelevo noted that after the initial efforts, the fight against corruption seemed to have relaxed, saying “After that, it seems it was relaxed and there was nothing when I was actually holding public officials accountable. Then the problem started.” He expressed concern that the President hailed him for his work in saving the country billions of Ghana cedis, but when it came to holding his own people accountable, the problem began.”

Mr. Domelevo highlighted that the country’s performance on the corruption perception index is unacceptable, stating “We are at 43, but 43 is a failure zone. We have stagnated at a failure zone…we have not even been able to improve it a bit to move to 44, not to talk about 45.” He questioned the effectiveness of establishing a full office of the special prosecutor and increasing funding for anti-corruption institutions, calling it “a wasteful expenditure”.

Mr. Domelevo concluded, “I think that is not acceptable. Look at the corruption perception index. We have not reached a pass mark. This is a failure zone.” His remarks emphasize the need for a more effectual and continued effort in the fight against corruption in Ghana.