CHRAJ Commissioner sounds alarm over eroding public trust in Ghana’s anti-corruption fight

The Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Dr. Joseph Whittal, has warned that public confidence in the country’s fight against corruption is weakening despite the existence of several anti-corruption laws and institutions.

Speaking at a forum organized by the Media Foundation for West Africa in Accra yesterday, he said growing perceptions of corruption and doubts about the ability of state institutions to deal with it pose a serious threat to democratic governance and national development.

Addressing participants at the event held under the theme “Restoring Citizens’ Trust in the Fight Against Corruption in Ghana: The Role of the Media,” Dr. Whittal noted that trust is the foundation upon which public institutions derive legitimacy. He observed that while Ghana has invested heavily in accountability bodies and legal frameworks over the years, many citizens remain unconvinced that corruption cases are handled fairly, swiftly and without political interference.

According to him, public trust thrives when institutions demonstrate transparency, consistency and integrity.

He stressed that citizens are more likely to have confidence in state agencies when corruption allegations are investigated professionally, offenders are held accountable regardless of status, and anti-corruption bodies are given the independence and resources needed to carry out their mandates.

Successful prosecutions, recovery of stolen assets and visible reforms, he added, are critical in convincing the public that no one is above the law.

Dr. Whittal also pointed to several factors he believes are driving public disillusionment, including selective justice, prolonged investigations and weak enforcement of anti-corruption laws. He lamented that many high-profile corruption cases attract extensive publicity but often fail to produce outcomes that satisfy public expectations.

The CHRAJ Commissioner further expressed concern about attacks on journalists who expose wrongdoing, referencing the unresolved murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale as an issue that continues to cast a shadow over accountability efforts in the country.

Touching on the role of the media, Dr. Whittal described journalists as indispensable partners in the fight against corruption.

He credited investigative reporting for exposing procurement breaches, abuse of office and illicit financial activities both in Ghana and abroad.

However, he cautioned media practitioners against reducing corruption coverage to political drama and personality clashes, arguing that greater attention should be paid to evidence, institutional responses and the eventual outcomes of cases. Responsible journalism, he said, must prioritize the public interest over spectacle.

Calling for a collective national response, Dr. Whittal urged government, Parliament, the Judiciary, accountability institutions, citizens and the media to play their respective roles in rebuilding confidence in the anti-corruption agenda.

He maintained that trust cannot be demanded by public institutions but must be earned through consistent action, transparency and measurable results. “The fight against corruption is ultimately a fight for the soul of our democracy,” he said, warning that failure to confront the problem decisively would continue to undermine development and weaken public confidence in state institutions.