For the first time in Ghana’s Fourth Republic, a president has completed his first year in office without a major corruption scandal dogging his administration, a development anti-corruption advocate Raphael Godlove Ahenu says deserves recognition.

Speaking in a telephone interview with Akua Nyarko Abronoma on Thursday edition on ‘Ghana Nkomo’, at Sompa Fm-Sunyani, Mr. Ahenu, founder of the anti-corruption advocacy group Global Media Foundation (GloMeF) commended President John Dramani Mahama for measures introduced to curb corruption since assuming office.

According to him, while the fight against corruption remains ongoing, the absence of major scandals within the first year of Mahama’s administration is a positive signal.

“If the measures President Mahama has put in place to fight corruption continue to work, we will say he has done something,” Ahenu said. “For the first time under the Fourth Republic that a president has taken power for one year and we haven’t had any scandal. For now, we can say he has done well in the corruption fight.”

Mr. Ahenu noted that the true test of a government’s commitment to transparency lies in how leaders respond when corruption allegations emerge within their ranks.

He explained that an administration can be perceived as corrupt when its leadership shields or defends officials facing credible accusations.

“What will make us say a government is corrupt is when the leaders or the president decide to cover up for subordinates whenever there is a scandal involving them,” he said.

Drawing comparisons with past events, Mr. Ahenu referenced the controversy involving former sanitation minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah during the administration of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

At the time, Cecilia Abena Dapaah tendered her resignation after reports emerged regarding large sums of money allegedly stolen from her residence.

Mr. Ahenu said the then president publicly praised Dapaah’s service and suggested that allegations against her would eventually be proven unfounded.

He also cited the contentious issue of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, recalling that former Environment Minister Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng had previously reported concerns about the activities to the presidency.

According to Mr. Ahenu, such situations highlight the importance of political leadership taking firm and transparent action when concerns about wrongdoing are raised.

The GloMeF founder urged the current administration to maintain its commitment to accountability and ensure that any allegations of corruption are investigated without political interference.

“If the government continues to allow investigations and holds officials accountable when necessary, then the country will see real progress in the fight against corruption,” he said.

Ghana’s fight against corruption has long been a major public concern, with civil society organizations and governance experts repeatedly calling for stronger institutional independence, transparency, and leadership commitment to tackle the problem.

Sompaonline.com/Derrick Djan