Speakers at a national forum on corruption were have called for stronger collaboration among the media, anti-corruption institutions and the judiciary.
The 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, focused on the role of the media in combating corruption.
Mr Sulemana Briamah, Executive Director of the MFWA, said investigative journalism remained a critical tool in promoting transparency and accountability, but noted that corruption continued to persist.
He stressed that “exposure alone does not always lead to accountability.”
Mr Briamah observed that while media investigations had uncovered major scandals and triggered national discussions, many cases failed to result in sanctions, eroding public trust.
“Too often, stories that shape the nation fade without resolution. This is not only frustrating for journalists, it also risks eroding public trust in both the media and in state institutions,” he said.
Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayeni, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, in a speech read on his behalf, acknowledged the media’s role in exposing corruption but emphasised the need to translate revelations into prosecutable cases.
He said the fight must go beyond exposure to include “credible investigations, successful prosecutions and meaningful sanctions.”
Mr Vitus Azeem, anti-corruption campaigner, cited inadequate resourcing of anti-corruption institutions as a major challenge.
Prof Audrey Gadzekpo of the University of Ghana described the situation as “bleak,” despite existing laws and frameworks.
She emphasised the need for independent and robust investigative journalism.
Mr Seth Bokpe, Associate Editor at The Fourth Estate, said media scrutiny should not be misconstrued as an attack on state institutions, stressing that journalists were fulfilling a constitutional mandate to demand accountability.
Mr Dickson Tweneboa-Kodua, a member of the Ghana Bar Association, said enforcement of anti-corruption laws must be pursued within the rule of law.
The forum brought together stakeholders from government, civil society, the media and development partners to discuss practical ways to strengthen accountability and rebuild public trust in Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts.
