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In his final State of the Nation Address (SONA) to Parliament on January 3, 2024, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo firmly defended his administration’s appointees against corruption allegations, emphasising that independent investigations found most claims to be baseless.
Addressing concerns about corruption during his tenure, the President underscored the measures taken to ensure accountability within his government.
He highlighted the role of independent state institutions in probing allegations against his appointees and reiterated his commitment to upholding the rule of law.
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President Akufo-Addo asserted that every corruption allegation against his appointees was subjected to scrutiny by institutions such as the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
“We ensured that all allegations of corruption levelled against appointees were duly investigated by independent institutions of the state. In the majority of cases, these investigations revealed that the claims were unfounded,” the President stated.
He dismissed accusations that his government shielded appointees from accountability, stressing the independence of these institutions and their ability to operate without interference.
The President outlined several initiatives aimed at curbing misconduct within his administration, including:
- Asset Declaration Mandate: All government appointees were required to declare their assets upon assumption of office, in accordance with the 1992 Constitution.
- Public Procurement Oversight: Strengthening the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) to ensure transparency in awarding contracts, reducing opportunities for corruption.
- Whistleblower Protection: Implementing mechanisms to protect individuals who reported wrongdoing within the government, fostering a culture of accountability.
President Akufo-Addo expressed confidence that the institutional reforms implemented during his tenure would sustain the fight against corruption beyond his presidency. He pointed to the establishment of the OSP as a major step in empowering the state to address corruption effectively, including among high-ranking officials.
“The structures we have put in place are designed to endure and ensure that no one is above the law,” he said.
In defending his appointees, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the challenges of governing amidst heightened public scrutiny. However, he maintained that his administration had taken bold steps to ensure that government officials remained accountable to the people.
“As President, I took an oath to protect the public purse, and I am proud of the systems we established to uphold that responsibility,” he concluded.
