Stakeholders at the National Forum on “Media and the Fight Against Corruption in Ghana” have called for stronger collaboration between the media and state institutions to effectively combat corruption in the country.
The forum, organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa in Accra, brought together representatives from government, anti-corruption agencies, civil society, academia, and development partners to deliberate on strengthening accountability systems.
Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa, Sulemana Braimah, underscored the critical role of a vibrant and independent media in tackling corruption, warning that the menace remains deeply entrenched in Ghana.
He noted that the country’s performance on global corruption indices reflects stagnation, with scores consistently below 50 percent.
Initiatives like ORAL give some semblance of hope that we’re taking efforts against corruption seriously. These efforts can only succeed if they are supported by strong, independent and well-resourced media,” he stated.
Braimah further observed that although investigative journalism has exposed numerous corruption scandals—particularly in public procurement and revenue assurance—many fail to result in accountability.
The gap between investigative reporting and actual sanctions remains a critical challenge. Too often, stories break, generate public outrage, but fail to end with resolution,” he said.
He also highlighted challenges facing journalists, including threats, intimidation, weak legal protections, and financial constraints, stressing that a free and professional media is essential for transparency and good governance.
A free, vibrant and professional media is not a luxury—it is a necessity for accountability,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, the Solicitor-General, Hellen Akpene Awo Ziwu, called for a more coordinated national approach involving the media, investigators, and prosecutors.
She acknowledged that while Ghana has established key institutions such as the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the Economic and Organised Crime Office, structural challenges continue to hinder progress.
Corruption remains a persistent and evolving challenge. While institutions have been established, we continue to grapple with weak enforcement and delays in the administration of justice,” she stated.
Akpene pointed to the disconnect between media exposés and judicial outcomes, citing evidential standards, legal constraints, and limited institutional coordination as key barriers to successful prosecutions.
The media plays an indispensable role in uncovering wrongdoing, but translating these revelations into prosecutable cases often presents difficulties,” she explained.
She emphasised that the fight against corruption requires a unified effort.
The fight against corruption cannot be pursued in silence. It requires a coordinated and coherent approach in which the media, investigators, and prosecutors each fulfil their mandates while reinforcing each other’s efforts,” she added.
The Solicitor-General reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening prosecutorial capacity and improving collaboration with investigative bodies to ensure that credible media reports are effectively integrated into the legal process.
We are taking deliberate steps to enhance prosecutorial capacity and ensure that information from credible media investigations can be used within the legal framework,” she noted.
She also raised concerns about threats against journalists, assuring that government remains committed to protecting media practitioners while promoting responsible reporting.
Corruption will continue to thrive where those who expose wrongdoing operate under fear,” she cautioned.
Former Executive Director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative, Vitus Adaboo Azeem, also called for intensified efforts by anti-corruption bodies.
He urged organisations such as Transparency International and the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition to step up their fight against corruption.
Institutions like the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition and Transparency International Ghana must intensify their fight against corruption,” he said.
Azeem further encouraged journalists to prioritise impactful reporting and avoid trivial engagements.
Journalists should boycott press conferences that are frivolous and a waste of time,” he advised.
Programme Director at DW Akademie, Ama Kodjo, highlighted the broader societal impact of corruption, noting that it undermines national development and disproportionately affects vulnerable groups.
She reaffirmed her organisation’s commitment to supporting anti-corruption efforts in Ghana.
Participants at the forum stressed the need for improved collaboration, better information-sharing frameworks, and sustained capacity-building initiatives to ensure that investigative findings lead to concrete actions, while restoring public trust in governance and accountability systems.
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