- Addah says AG shown a fair approach, avoiding premature accusations while building a case
- She emphasizes that anti-corruption success depends on political collaboration, and targeting high-level offenders
- She calls for major perpetrators to be brought to justice, not just minor players
Mary Awelana Addah, Executive Director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), has welcomed with cautious optimism the Attorney General’s recent update on anti-corruption efforts. She commended Dr. Dominic Ayine’s approach as balanced and promising, while emphasizing the need for sustained political will and evidence-driven action to achieve meaningful progress.
Dr. Ayine’s press briefing on June 13 provided updates on corruption-related investigations, particularly within the National Service Secretariat, and highlighted the government’s commitment to combating corruption through the newly introduced ORAL (Operation Recover All Loots) framework.
The update outlined ongoing cases under review and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to addressing corruption through lawful procedures.
Speaking on Newsfile on June 14, Mrs. Addah described the Attorney General’s approach as constructive and careful:
“He hasn’t accused anyone outright, but has established a kind of prima facie case, and seems committed to pushing the anti-corruption agenda forward.”
She stressed that the fight against corruption often hinges on both public perception and lived experiences, noting that considerable work has already been done to produce actionable evidence.
With the NDC back in power, she said, the public expects real progress on transparency and accountability—especially under the ORAL initiative.
“Ghanaians voted the NDC back in with expectations. They want to see tangible results from the anti-corruption strategies being rolled out,” she said. “The Attorney General’s briefing was just a progress update on that broader agenda.”
Mrs. Addah also praised the early signals from both President John Mahama and the Attorney General, saying their posture sets a positive tone at the outset of a new administration.
“So far, the optics have been good. Normally, new administrations show goodwill in their first year. The real test comes when they start shielding insiders—let’s hope that doesn’t happen this time,” she remarked.
She expressed hope that President Mahama is determined to leave behind a legacy rooted in integrity and accountability.
Looking ahead, Mrs. Addah stressed the importance of collaboration between the Attorney General’s Office and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), calling them vital partners in strengthening Ghana’s anti-corruption infrastructure.
“If the Attorney General remains committed, and the OSP continues its work effectively, the Ghanaian public will stand behind them. There’s real potential for progress.”
However, she cautioned against focusing solely on low-level offenders, emphasizing that key figures must also be held to account.
“We need to see accountability at all levels. Often, the minor players don’t have enough evidence against them. But if they can help build stronger cases against the major actors, that would be a step in the right direction,” she concluded.
