Media Urged to Play Active Role in Fighting Corruption and Strengthening Democracy in Ghana

Dr. John Osae-Kwapong, Project Director of the Democracy Project, provided in-depth insights into public attitudes about corruption, drawing from the Afrobarometer and other surveys, during a capacity-building workshop for journalists in Accra. He highlighted the media’s crucial role in governance and anti-corruption efforts, pointing out both the opportunities and challenges.

In his presentation, Dr. Osae-Kwapong noted that while Ghana had made significant progress in its fight against corruption, recent Afrobarometer surveys indicate there is still much work to be done. “There was a period when we were doing well in the fight against corruption, but in the last couple of rounds of Afrobarometer, you can see that there is a lot more to be done,” he remarked.

He emphasized that corruption goes beyond high-profile political scandals, drawing attention to conflicts of interest, which often go unnoticed by the public. “People don’t know that conflict of interest is also corruption, but it forms an act of corruption. So, there should be a law to deal with such people,” he added.

Dr. Osae-Kwapong also discussed the importance of accountability, noting that despite the establishment of institutions such as the Office of the Special Prosecutor, public perception remains that the fight against corruption is not being won. This, he explained, stems from the lack of visible consequences for those implicated in corruption. “The public sees a disconnect between allegations of corruption and the consequences for those involved,” he said.

He further argued that in some cases, having individuals step aside during investigations could help boost public confidence in the system. He also touched on the slow judicial process in convicting corruption cases, which can take 4-5 years, and the right to appeal, all of which hinder swift justice.

Dr. Osae-Kwapong pointed out that Ghana has recently shifted from being classified as a “liberal democracy” to an “electoral democracy,” a downgrade that signals the need for greater institutional independence, particularly for the judiciary, and more robust oversight of the executive by the legislature.

He praised the current Chief Justice for leading the “Leading Justice Reform” initiative aimed at strengthening the judiciary and restoring Ghana’s status as a liberal democracy.

When discussing constitutional reforms, Dr. Osae-Kwapong advocated for caution, suggesting that immediate amendments should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Instead, he recommended reforms aimed at strengthening local governance by devolving powers from the executive to lower levels of government. This, he noted, would allow local issues to be addressed more efficiently without waiting for central government intervention.

He also urged Parliament to exercise its full constitutional authority in counterbalancing the executive’s power. Recent reforms, such as allowing minority parties to chair certain parliamentary committees, have increased oversight of the executive, he observed.

Dr. Osae-Kwapong emphasized that the media and the public must understand the connection between corruption and the country’s inability to effectively address social issues. He advised journalists to become independent voices capable of moderating increasingly polarized national conversations, urging them to go beyond presenting opposing views and take a firm stand on what is factually correct.

He concluded by underscoring the media’s role in fact-checking information and providing clarity on national issues, positioning the media as a vital arbiter in partisan debates.