By Celestine Avi
Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has launched a fresh charge against systemic corruption with the inauguration of a working group to draft Ghana’s second National Anti-Corruption Strategy, citing a clear mandate from President John Dramani Mahama to deliver “a beating, impactful rhythm” in the nation’s anti-corruption space.
Speaking at the Presidency, Mr. Debrah emphasized that while the previous strategy, the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP), registered some notable achievements, it ultimately failed to deliver the needed reduction in corruption levels across the country.
“One could argue that NACAP has not performed too well when it comes to the actual reduction of corruption in our country… and the evidence is out there for all Ghanaians to see,” he said. “We must reverse this trend, and I charge this group to ensure the new strategy does precisely that.”
The Chief of Staff recalled that the original NACAP, passed in 2014 under Mahama’s leadership, saw improvements in financial system oversight, digitization at ports, and strengthened institutions like the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO). However, he pointed out that despite these interventions, Ghana’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) declined from a peak of 48% to a historic low of 42%.
According to him, this reality signals the need for bold rethinking and a clean break from past assumptions.
“The complexities of corruption that confront us today require not just legislation, but leadership, strong political will, ethical grounding, and technology-driven enforcement,” Mr. Debrah noted.
The new working group is expected to submit a draft strategy by August 31, 2025, and will work under the coordination of the Office of the Presidential Advisor on Anti-Corruption, in partnership with CHRAJ, the Attorney General’s Office, the OSP, and other key institutions.
Describing corruption as “first and foremost a moral issue before legality,” the Chief of Staff insisted that ethics must become the backbone of Ghana’s next anti-corruption framework.
“The next strategy must deliver a kind of shock therapy, something that repositions the anti-corruption fight with purpose and results,” he stated.
The Office of the President, he assured, will closely monitor the process and support it with resources, while expecting prudence given Ghana’s current economic constraints.
The Chief of Staff ended on a note of urgency and confidence: “We expect nothing less than your fullest commitment to the cause.”
