Ghana’s President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, has announced the formation of a new anti-corruption team tasked with investigating suspected graft within the state, his transition team confirmed on Wednesday.
Mahama, who won the December 7 presidential election with 56% of the vote, has pledged to take immediate action against corruption once he assumes office next month. A core component of his campaign, the recovery of misappropriated state assets, is now taking shape with the creation of a team focused on rooting out corruption.
The anti-graft team will be led by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwah, a Member of Parliament and chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Assurances. Ablakwah, known for his outspoken stance on financial misconduct in government, has previously called attention to instances of suspected corruption within the state apparatus.
The team’s membership includes a range of experts: Daniel Dumelovo, the former auditor-general, was dismissed after his investigations into financial misconduct under the current administration raised concerns; a prominent legal practitioner specializing in anti-corruption law; a respected investigative journalist known for his work on public sector corruption; and a former police officer with experience in managing high-profile criminal cases.
Dumelovo’s removal, after uncovering financial irregularities during his tenure, has been a subject of controversy and public debate. His inclusion in the anti-corruption team highlights Mahama’s commitment to bringing transparency and accountability to government operations.
Fighting corruption and recovering lost state assets were key promises in Mahama’s successful election bid. His transition team emphasized that Mahama intends to “hit the ground running” once he is sworn into office, with a particular focus on holding those responsible for corruption to account.
Mahama returns to the presidency after an eight-year absence, having lost power in 2016. Despite facing criticism during his previous tenure over allegations of political corruption, Mahama was never personally implicated in any wrongdoing. As he prepares for his second term, the new anti-corruption initiative signals his determination to restore public trust and combat the pervasive issue of corruption in Ghana’s political system.