In a collaborative effort to strengthen the fight against corruption, the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), and the African Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) organized a one-day workshop for journalists.
The event, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), aimed to improve journalists’ understanding of governance and anti-corruption reforms under the project titled “An Anti-Corruption Initiative for Enhancing Governance and Accountability.”
The Media’s Role in Promoting Good Governance
Mrs. Mary Addah, Executive Director of Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), addressed the participants in Accra, emphasizing the essential role the media plays in promoting good governance and accountability.
She pointed out that the project tackles significant issues such as public sector corruption, a lack of transparency in public procurement, and weak citizen participation—issues that hinder Ghana’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 16, which focuses on inclusive governance and strong institutions.
Mrs. Addah also highlighted the importance of increased media coverage of governance gaps, particularly in areas such as public budget transparency and service delivery.
She referenced a 2024 study on Ghana’s public debt crisis, which links its causes to governance failings and corruption.
Dr. John Osae-Kwapong on Corruption Perceptions and Accountability
Dr. John Osae-Kwapong, Project Director of the Democracy Project, facilitated the session and provided critical insights into how journalists can leverage research and data in their advocacy for transparent governance.
He pointed out that while Ghana has made progress in establishing institutions like the Office of the Special Prosecutor, there is still a widespread public perception that the fight against corruption is not being won.
Dr. Osae-Kwapong explained that this perception largely stems from a lack of visible accountability.
He noted that the public often sees a disconnect between allegations of corruption and the consequences for those involved.
While due process is important, he argued that in some cases, having individuals step aside during investigations can bolster public confidence in anti-corruption efforts.
Challenges in Convicting Corruption Cases
Dr. Osae-Kwapong highlighted the long process of convicting corruption cases, which can take 4-5 years, with individuals retaining the right to appeal. This lengthy process, he said, reflects how far Ghana still has to go in effectively fighting corruption.
Institutional Independence and Democracy
He also discussed Ghana’s recent shift from being classified as a “liberal democracy” to an “electoral democracy,” a downgrade that underscores the need for greater institutional independence, particularly for the judiciary, and more robust oversight of the executive branch by the legislature.
Dr. Osae-Kwapong hailed the current Chief Justice for spearheading the “Leading Justice Reform” initiative, which aims to strengthen the judiciary and restore Ghana’s status as a liberal democracy.
Constitutional Reforms and Local Governance
In terms of constitutional reforms, Dr. Osae-Kwapong expressed his belief that immediate amendments should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.
Instead, he advocated for reforms aimed at strengthening local governance by devolving powers from the executive to lower levels of government. This would allow local issues to be addressed more efficiently without waiting for central government intervention.
He highlighted the importance of Parliament using its full constitutional authority to counterbalance the executive’s power. For instance, recent parliamentary reforms have allowed minority parties to chair certain committees, increasing oversight of the executive.
However, he urged the media and the public to recognize the connection between corruption and the inability to solve these pressing social issues effectively.
Advice to Journalists: Moderating Polarized Conversations
Dr. Osae-Kwapong also advised journalists to become independent voices capable of moderating increasingly polarized conversations. He emphasized the media’s crucial role in fact-checking information and providing clarity on national issues.
He called for journalists to go beyond presenting opposing views and take a stand on what is factually correct, positioning the media as an essential arbiter in partisan debates.
Source: Isaac Kofi Dzokpo/newsghana.com.gh
