Security analyst Nana Kweku Ofori Atta has called for a major restructuring of Ghana’s public procurement system, arguing that the fight against corruption requires more than reactive institutions and public promises.
According to him, endemic corruption in Ghana is not a one-time event that can be eliminated overnight, but rather a long-term process that demands resilience, strategy and political commitment.
He said the creation of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) was initially welcomed with great public enthusiasm, with many believing it would quickly stamp out politically exposed corruption.
“People believed corruption linked to politics was going to be obliterated almost immediately, but that has not been the case,” he stated.
Mr. Ofori Atta argued that Ghana needs a dedicated ministry with the authority to award, supervise, monitor and evaluate all government contracts.
He maintained that the current arrangement, where ministries award contracts within their own sectors, creates room for corruption, kickbacks and backdoor deals.
“The current system makes it difficult to fight corruption, especially when politically exposed persons are involved,” he said.
He further suggested that a centralized ministry for government contracts would serve as a strong institutional check against corruption in ministries, where he believes resources are often mismanaged without accountability.
Mr. Ofori Atta also expressed concern about the ability of the Attorney-General’s Department to independently pursue corruption cases involving politically connected individuals.
He stressed that the Ghanaian public has high expectations of the current administration and urged government officials to protect the trust reposed in them.
“The trust of the people must be preserved, protected and held in high esteem,” he said.
He concluded by urging authorities to take bold and proactive steps to address corruption before it further weakens public confidence in state institutions.
