Anti-corruption campaigner Vitus Azeem has raised cautious concerns over the government’s resolve to tackle corruption, following the arrest of four individuals in connection with the controversial Power Distribution Services scandal (PDS) scandal.
Speaking during a phone-in interview on Ahotor 92.3 FM’s morning programme Adekyee Mu Nsem with host Citizen Kofi Owusu on May 4, 2026, Mr. Azeem said the arrests could be viewed as a positive signal, but stressed that genuine commitment to the fight against corruption would only be measured by concrete outcomes and successful prosecutions.
According to him, the latest development should not be treated as an isolated incident, especially when several unresolved cases linked to the government’s much-publicised ORAL anti-corruption initiative remain under scrutiny.
“We have many ORAL-related cases that are supposed to be investigated and acted upon,” Mr. Azeem stated. “So when one issue comes up, it may indicate that the government intends to continue pursuing the ORAL cases. However, the real commitment will depend on whether these matters are carried through to their logical conclusion.”
The seasoned anti-corruption advocate questioned the pace and effectiveness of prosecutions arising from the ORAL investigations, insisting that arrests alone cannot be celebrated as victory in the battle against graft.
“So far, how many prosecutions have we seen from the ORAL cases and other related investigations?” he queried. “That is what will show whether the government is truly committed. If substantial amounts of money are recovered and individuals found guilty are punished, then Ghanaians can confidently say there is genuine commitment.”
Mr. Azeem acknowledged that the recent arrests represent “some level” of progress, but warned that anti-corruption drives in Ghana often become politically charged whenever a new administration targets officials from a previous regime.
“Most of the time, when there is a change in government and the new administration starts prosecuting members of the former government, it creates mixed feelings among the public,” he explained. “People begin to wonder whether the same government would be willing to take action if its own officials are implicated in similar wrongdoing.”
He stressed that the credibility of the anti-corruption campaign would depend heavily on fairness, transparency, and consistency, rather than selective justice.
“Commitment goes beyond prosecuting officials from a previous administration,” he added. “The question is whether the authorities have gathered enough evidence to secure convictions in court. Otherwise, critics will dismiss the cases as political witch-hunting or frivolous allegations.”
Mr. Azeem further observed that many Ghanaians have become increasingly impatient because the governing party, while in opposition, strongly campaigned on promises to aggressively fight corruption.
“They spoke extensively about combating corruption before assuming office, and naturally that raised public expectations,” he said. “That is why many citizens are eager to see results. At this stage, it is difficult to conclude whether the government is fully committed unless we see these cases pursued to the very end.”
He also questioned whether the latest arrests were merely a one-time action, noting that the ORAL initiative reportedly identified close to 200 separate cases for investigation.
During the interview, the host also asked Mr. Azeem about the President’s claim in his recent State of the Nation Address that the ORAL initiative had recovered approximately GH¢6 million.
In response, Mr. Azeem said he could not independently verify the claim and urged the media to play a more proactive oversight role.
“I do not have evidence to confirm that,” he stated. “Politicians naturally want to present their initiatives as successful, so it is important for the media to verify such claims, including through the Right to Information law.”
Mr. Azeem also expressed uncertainty about the future direction of the ORAL initiative, particularly after the reported dissolution of the ORAL committee.
“There are two critical issues,” he explained. “First is the handling of past corruption cases, and second is how the government deals with allegations involving its own appointees in the future. Now that the ORAL committee has been dissolved, who continues the work? Are the anti-corruption agencies carrying on with the same investigations?”
Reflecting on Ghana’s broader anti-corruption framework, the outspoken campaigner painted a rather bleak picture of the country’s institutional capacity to effectively combat corruption.
“In my view, we are not fully up to the task,” he lamented. “The institutions established to fight corruption continue to face serious challenges, including inadequate financial resources, insufficient personnel, and delayed budget releases.”
He argued that many state anti-corruption bodies also lack the independence needed to operate effectively because their leadership structures remain heavily tied to the Executive arm of government.
“Some of these institutions cannot independently investigate and prosecute because their leadership is appointed by the Executive,” he noted. “Even while trying to fight corruption, officials may hesitate because petitions can be sent to the President seeking their removal.”
Mr. Azeem called for constitutional reforms to strengthen the independence of anti-corruption institutions and protect them from political interference.
“These are issues we need to revisit in our Constitution,” he stressed. “True independence must also reflect in the appointment processes of these institutions.”
Asked whether he believes Ghana’s future in the fight against corruption is promising, Mr. Azeem expressed deep scepticism.
“I do not think the future looks bright at the moment,” he said bluntly. “There is a lot of talk about fighting corruption, but we are not seeing enough action.”
Story by Freedom Etsey Lavoe/Ahotoronline.com
