President Akufo-Addo has defended his government’s anti-corruption efforts. According to him, fighting corruption has been the cornerstone of his administration.
This comes amid widespread criticism regarding numerous alleged corruption cases during his tenure.
Speaking at the commissioning of ‘The Law House’ project on Monday, June 10, President Akufo-Addo emphasized that corruption flourishes in environments where it can be concealed, noting that access to information is crucial in fighting it.
To address this issue, President Akufo-Addo highlighted the passage of the Right to Information Act (RTI) 2019, ACT 989, during his first term. He stated that this legislation aims to give practical effect to Article 21, clause 1(f) of the constitution, thereby promoting transparency and accountability.
“The Act which successive governments failed to pass, see to the implementation of the constitutional right to information held by public institutions to foster the culture of transparency and accountability in public affairs subject to exemptions necessary and consistent with the protection of the public interest in a democratic society, the Act is now fully implemented with the governing board chaired by an experienced and respected retired high court judge.”
The president also noted that the Ministry of Information has trained information officers across various government ministries, departments, and agencies to ensure the full implementation of the Right to Information law.
Additionally, he highlighted the passage of the Witness Protection Act, Act 975, in 2018, which he signed into law on August 24 of the same year.
“The Act establishes a witness protection agency to create a witness protection scheme as a vehicle for offering protection to persons who are required to cooperate with law enforcement agencies as witnesses in the investigation and prosecution of cases particularly corruption cases affecting public officers,” he noted.
President Akufo-Addo addressed accusations that he is primarily interested in exonerating his appointees accused of corruption. He insisted that, as a respecter of the rule of law, he has ensured that cases are fairly investigated to avoid miscarriages of justice.
About The Law House Project
The Law House project, initiated in 2001, was originally slated for completion in May 2004. However, it faced significant delays, leading to its termination and subsequent re-awarding on January 10, 2023, with final completion achieved in June 2024.
Spanning the administrations of four presidents—John Agyekum Kufuor, John Evans Atta Mills, John Dramani Mahama, and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo—the project evolved from an eight-story office building to a ten-story structure with a two-level basement. The final design includes conference rooms, 130 office spaces, 120 parking lots, an eating area, and various other facilities, significantly enhancing its capacity and functionality.
The completion of The Law House project marks a significant milestone in providing a modern and efficient workspace for legal professionals, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving infrastructure and supporting the rule of law in Ghana.
