Stakeholders in Ghana’s governance and accountability space are calling for a shift from exposing corruption to securing convictions, as concerns mount over the lack of follow-through on major investigative reports.
This formed the core message at a high-level forum organised 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.
Participants stressed that while investigative journalism has been instrumental in uncovering corruption, its impact is often weakened when revelations do not lead to concrete legal action.
Executive Director of the MFWA, Sulemana Braimah, noted that although the media has consistently exposed wrongdoing and sparked national debate, many high-profile cases fail to result in sanctions. This, he warned, risks undermining public confidence in both journalists and state institutions.
“Exposure alone does not always lead to accountability,” he said, adding that unresolved cases continue to frustrate journalists and citizens alike.
The call for stronger enforcement was echoed by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, whose remarks were delivered on his behalf. He acknowledged the media’s watchdog role but emphasised that the anti-corruption fight must culminate in “credible investigations, successful prosecutions and meaningful sanctions.”
Concerns about institutional capacity also featured prominently. Anti-corruption advocate Vitus Azeem pointed to inadequate resources as a key obstacle limiting the effectiveness of enforcement agencies.
Adding to the urgency, Audrey Gadzekpo of the University of Ghana described the current state of anti-corruption efforts as “bleak,” despite existing legal frameworks, and called for stronger, independent investigative journalism.
From the media perspective, Seth Bokpe of The Fourth Estate stressed that holding power to account should not be misinterpreted as hostility toward state institutions, but rather seen as a constitutional responsibility.
Legal practitioner Dickson Tweneboa-Kodua, representing the Ghana Bar Association, underscored the importance of pursuing anti-corruption enforcement within the framework of the rule of law.
The forum brought together representatives from government, civil society, the media, and development partners, all united by a common concern: bridging the gap between corruption exposés and actual accountability. Stakeholders agreed that restoring public trust will depend not just on uncovering wrongdoing, but on ensuring that justice is consistently served.
