News
President Akufo-Addo Defends Anti-Corruption Record

In a robust defense of his administration’s anti-corruption efforts at the Ghana Bar Association’s Annual Conference, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo outlined the wide-ranging reforms his government has implemented to combat corruption.
He emphasized that his administration’s approach has been rooted in legislative, administrative, and technological changes designed to strengthen accountability and transparency across all levels of government.
Central to this effort, according to President Akufo-Addo, was the creation of the Office of the Special Prosecutor, an independent institution tasked with investigating and prosecuting corruption cases.
He stated that this office, along with other legislative reforms, has provided Ghana with the necessary tools to tackle corruption head-on.
“We have established the Office of the Special Prosecutor, a critical institution in the fight against corruption, and we have provided it with the necessary tools to prosecute those who seek to enrich themselves at the expense of the Ghanaian people,” the President said.
President Akufo-Addo highlighted key legal reforms passed under his government, such as the Witness Protection Act (2018), the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Act (2020) – which elevated corruption to a felony – and the Anti-Money Laundering Act. These laws, he explained, have strengthened Ghana’s institutional capacity to hold individuals accountable for corrupt practices.
In addition to these legal reforms, President Akufo-Addo emphasized the importance of technology in minimizing opportunities for corruption. His government introduced digital platforms to manage public procurement processes, reducing human involvement and, consequently, the chances of corrupt dealings.
He cited the Auditor-General’s 2023 report, which showed a 32% reduction in financial irregularities within the public sector, attributing the improvement to these technological interventions.
Despite these reforms, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged that his administration has faced criticism from the opposition, particularly from National Democratic Congress (NDC) leader John Dramani Mahama, who has accused the government of being corrupt.
In his response, Akufo-Addo defended his administration, pointing out that credible public institutions had cleared both his government and family members of all allegations of misconduct.
He added, “I will leave it to the judgement of the Ghanaian public to decide whether it is preferable to be a ‘clearing agent’ or ‘Government Official One,’” referencing the infamous corruption scandal associated with the previous Mahama administration.
The President stressed that his government’s fight against corruption is ongoing, driven by a holistic framework of reforms that he believes will leave a lasting impact on Ghana’s governance.
He pointed out that since taking office in 2017, budgetary allocations for key anti-corruption institutions, including the Office of the Auditor-General, the Judiciary, the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO), and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), have seen unprecedented increases.
These measures, according to the President, demonstrate his administration’s firm commitment to eradicating corruption and enhancing accountability.
As his presidency draws to a close, President Akufo-Addo remains steadfast in defending his government’s anti-corruption record, underscoring that the fight against graft requires a long-term commitment that his administration has sought to institutionalize.
News
Intake of ‘Gobe’ can prevent heart diseases —Nutritionists

Nutritionists have advised Ghanaians to eat more beans-based meals, including the popular local dish, gari and beans, also known as ‘Gobe’ to prevent heart diseases. They said incidences of obesity and cancer could be minimised with the regular intake of beans meals.
At a programme in Accra to mark the World Pulses ( Beans) Day on Monday, Mr Wise Chukudi Letsa, Nutritionist and Dietician, who spoke on the topic: ‘Beans: The Super Food for Healthy Living and Healthy Farmlands,’ admonished Ghanaians to include beans in their diets.
Mr Letsa said beans was rich in protein, fibre, vitamins, minerals, irons and other nutrients and contained just a little fat. Mr Letsa, a Nutritionist with Lets Consult, stated that the presence of those nutrients in beans explained why its intake could prevent heart diseases and other ailments, hence the need to consume it regularly.
The event, dubbed: ‘Meatless Monday’ was organised by the Communications Initiative for Change (CIC), a Ghanaian non-profit organisation.
The ‘Meatless Monday’ is an initiative aimed at encouraging Ghanaians to reduce their intake of meat by taking in more beans-based meals on every Monday of a week.
It was launched after the United Nations in 2019, set aside February 10 to celebrate and encourage the consumption of pulses (beans) worldwide. This year’s celebration was hinged on the theme: ‘Bringing Diversity to Agrifood Systems.’
Mr Peter Agbovi, National Secretary, Chefs Association of Ghana, said a variety of meals could be prepared with beans, which include Waakye (rice and beans), Kose (beans paste made into cakes), Ayikple, Aboboi, Tuo Zaafi, Akyeke, and kakro.
He encouraged Ghanaians to consume more of those foods to stay healthy.
Mr Emmanuel Fiagbey, the Executive Director, CIC, indicated that even if people could not eat beans-based meals regularly, efforts should be made to consume them every Monday.
He said that was the essence of the introduction of the ‘Meatless Monday’ initiative. -GNA
News
Restore beauty of Kwame Nkrumah Circle area / State of Kwame Nkrumah Circle an eyesore!

Small size quarry stones fixed at open spaces under the Kwame Nkrumah Circle Interchange was to leave the place open and free from activities of beggars and other activities of the homeless.
By the way the stones were fixed, it makes the area, particularly the VIP and Neoplan Station stretch of the Interchange, inhabitable by the destitute.
But a walk through the area currently suggest the opposite.
At the median where pavement blocks have been taken over by these homeless and destitute, the area has been turned into a hotel where a number of these unfortunate ones have comfortably laid their mattresses and other stuff to rest from the day’s activities.
They have crossed over to the SSNIT and Kaneshie Station area with their activities and have removed the quarry stones which were to ward them off the place to enable them find spaces to sleep comfortably.


The pavement blocks removed from different locations under the interchange now serves as foundations on which beds were laid and in some cases, mosquito nets erected.
Their continued presence is not only creating a nuisance for commuters but marring the beauty and serenity of the place.
Sadly, the activities of these deprived fellows have been ignored while the numbers keep increasing day by day.
The Spectator finds the development very worrying and calls on the responsible authorities to clear the area to restore the beauty and serenity of the area.
By Victor A. Buxton