Former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, has emphasised the need for strong institutions to combat corruption in Africa.
Speaking on Monday at the graduation ceremony of Course 33 of the National Defence College in Abuja, Akufo-Addo identified weak and opaque institutions, corruption, limited political accountability, and poor public services as significant obstacles to good governance across the continent.
Akufo-Addo stressed that corruption eroded public trust, diverts resources, and cripples service delivery, citing that over two-thirds of African countries scored below 50 on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index in 2023.
He advocated for robust reforms that strengthen institutions and promote accountability, highlighting examples from Rwanda and Botswana where well-funded, independent agencies have made a positive impact.
Akufo-Addo suggested leveraging technology, such as open contracting portals and blockchain, to enhance transparency and accountability in public finance and procurement systems.
He emphasised the importance of empowering citizens as vigilant overseers of governance, ensuring they could demand accountability from their governments.
Akufo-Addo cautioned against intimidating opposition, censoring the media, and restricting civil society activities, stressing that these actions undermined democracy and weaken institutions needed to protect citizens’ rights.
He noted that building credible and transparent systems was crucial to reshaping Africa’s governance landscape and promoting sustainable development.
Akufo-Addo urged African leaders to work together to build institutions that reflect their people’s aspirations that were strong enough to safeguard the continent’s future.
