In a recent address, former President John Mahama strongly criticized the Akufo-Addo administration, alleging that it has led Ghana into a state of rampant corruption.

Speaking during an end-of-year session with current Members of Parliament and prospective 2024 NDC parliamentary candidates, Mahama asserted that corruption remains a significant obstacle hindering the country's progress.

He emphasized that attempts to curb corruption have proven ineffective and, instead, the issue has worsened over time. Mahama underscored the urgent need for decisive action to address the pervasive problem and its detrimental impact on Ghana's development.

“Currently, corruption has broken loose and it is running riot all over the country. Indeed, Ghanaians have developed the syndrome I call scandal fatigue because if you have a scandal every week, you get tired, so everybody is tired of talking about NPP's corruption.

“Just when you think you have seen the worst of it, they rise to even new levels that you can never imagine. One of those being the recent SML agreement. One wonders how they could have sat and conspired to rip off the nation with such a contract,” he said.

Mr. Mahama's critique of the Akufo-Addo administration coincides with a robust defense put forth by the President regarding his track record in addressing corruption. During the launch of the assessment of Ghana's inaugural national anti-corruption action plan, President Akufo-Addo vehemently refuted the label of being a "clearing agent."

According to President Akufo-Addo, “Every single alleged act of corruption levelled against any of my appointees has been investigated by individual bodies such as the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and some cases by Parliament.”

“It is not my job to clear or convict a person accused of wrongdoing or of engaging in any acts of wrongdoing. Despite the efforts of some to tag me as a clearing agent.

“That is the job of the courts and the law enforcement agencies. My job is to act on allegations of corruption by referring the issues to the proper investigative agency for the relevant inquiry and action including if necessary the suspension of the affected official pending the conclusion of the investigation, that is exactly what has been done since I assumed the mantle of leadership,”he said.

He noted since he assumed office as President, “no evidence or allegation has been forthcoming that the Executive i.e. myself as President has made any attempt to influence the outcome of any of these investigations. The latest episode involving the former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah is evident for all to see.”

He also said the country has made remarkable progress in the fight against corruption under his administration.