The ‘Anas Principle’ murdered by Akufo-Addo: Mahama should resurrect it

Before former President Akufo-Addo took office, he made a bold promise during the 2012 presidential debates that he would adopt the "Anas Principle" to combat corruption. This approach, named after investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, involves using undercover journalism to expose corrupt practices.

Unfortunately, once in power, Akufo-Addo has not only abandoned this promise but actively undermined it. Over his eight-year tenure, corruption thrived, and illegal mining (galamsey) escalated, leaving Ghana’s institutions and environment in peril.

The evidence of this failure is overwhelming. Scandals like the PDS deal in the energy sector, the BOST contaminated oil controversy, and the Cash for Seat affair exposed deep-rooted corruption, often involving individuals close to the former president. Even more alarming was the silencing of anti-corruption voices under former President Akufo-Addo’s regime.

For instance, the Investigative journalist Anas faced threats and vilification, while Ahmed Suale, a key member of his team, was brutally murdered in 2019. The Akufo-Addo administration’s reluctance to act on Anas’s exposés, such as the Number 12 and Gold Fraud investigations, further highlighted its indifference to accountability.

The galamsey crisis worsened under Akufo-Addo’s watch, with illegal miners adopting advanced technology to devastate Ghana’s rivers and forests. Despite public outcry, influential figures behind these operations escaped justice. The former president’s inaction earned him the damning label of "Mother Serpent of Corruption" from Martin Amidu, Ghana’s former Special Prosecutor.

Now, as President Mahama leads the charge to "Reset Ghana," he has a historic opportunity to revive the Anas Principle and restore integrity to governance. This means empowering undercover journalism to monitor government appointees and expose corruption within his own administration. It also means collaborating with Anas to uncover unresolved scandals from the previous regime, ensuring justice is served.

In the fight against galamsey, the Anas Principle can play a pivotal role. By tracing and exposing the hidden beneficiaries of illegal mining, the government can dismantle the networks fueling this environmental crisis. President Mahama must act decisively to hold these individuals accountable, sending a clear message that such destruction will no longer be tolerated.

For eight years, the Anas Principle was sidelined, and Ghana paid the price. President Mahama now has the chance to resurrect this powerful tool and deliver on his promise of a leaner, and more accountable government.

The stakes are high, but the path forward is clear: embrace transparency, empower investigative journalism, and confront corruption and galamsey head-on. This is what President Mahama is embarking on, which is commendable.

Reviving the Anas Principle will help to tackle the corruption and galamsey menace effectively. The future of Ghana depends on it.