‘Ghana has sunk’ — Manasseh Azure comparing Akufo-Addo’s corruption fight to Mahama's

Renowned investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has compared the handling of corruption under the current Nana Akufo-Addo administration to former President John Dramani Mahama, describing the former’s efforts as a significant regression of the gains made under Mahama.

In a social media post on Thursday, December 5, Manasseh lamented what he perceives as a decline in Ghana’s anti-corruption fight, contrasting the proactive measures taken during the Mahama administration with the current poor state of affairs under Akufo-Addo.

According to him, the National Service Scheme (NSS) corruption scandal during Mahama’s presidency exemplified a robust approach to tackling graft.

He highlighted how the then National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), formerly the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), investigated and exposed massive corruption at the NSS.

“In the John Mahama era, the National Intelligence Bureau (formerly BNI) investigated corruption at the National Service Secretariat. It was one of the few occasions when a state institution, other than the media, initiated an investigation that uncovered massive corruption and resulted in serious consequences against the perpetrators,” he stated.

He added that the investigation, spearheaded by former National Security Coordinator Edward Yaw Donkor, led to the retrieval of stolen funds, dismissals of officials, and the prosecution of the NSS director, Alhassan Imoro.

Despite political pressure and attempts to halt the investigation, Mahama reportedly stood firm and allowed the law to take its course.

“Delegations of prominent opinion leaders, including traditional rulers, pressured President Mahama to drop the case against Mr. Alhassan Imoro. President Mahama stood his ground and allowed the law to take its course,” Manasseh noted.

While acknowledging that Mahama’s efforts were not perfect, Manasseh expressed disappointment in the current administration’s handling of similar corruption cases, describing the situation as a stark decline.

“Comparing how cases like this were handled with what we have witnessed in the Akufo-Addo era, Ghana has sunk deeply,” he remarked.

The journalist urged the media to revisit unresolved corruption cases, particularly the NSS scandal, to ensure accountability and send a strong signal against misconduct.

This comes amid allegations that the National Service Authority has generated ghost names within its payroll system to siphon millions of cedis from the state.