Allow anti-corruption laws work consistently – Frema Osei-Opare 

Madam Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, former Chief of Staff, has urged consistent enforcement of Ghana’s anti-corruption laws to ensure accountability.

Speaking during the “Time with the Politician” series at the University of Ghana, she said that inconsistent application of laws undermined efforts to tackle corruption.

“I think we should let our laws work… If procurement today is found to be corrupt, let us deal with it now, not tomorrow or four years after,” she said.

The series was organised by the University’s Political Science Department in collaboration with Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Ghana to provide students with direct engagement with political leaders.

The International Monetary Fund estimates Ghana loses about GH¢13.5 billion annually to corruption, citing weak procurement systems and governance failures.

Madam Osei-Opare called for closer attention to Auditor-General’s reports and Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee proceedings, stressing that corruption within the public service required equal scrutiny as cases involving political office holders.

“We are very skewed in the way we want to look at corruption,” she said, noting that systemic irregularities in the civil and public services were often overlooked compared to political appointees.

On development, Madam Osei-Opare said equitable access to education, healthcare, employment and social protection was essential, describing equal access to education as non-negotiable.

She cited the Free Senior High School policy as expanding opportunities regardless of socio-economic background.

“The resources of this country are for everybody,” she said, adding that sustainable development was impossible while the majority remained deprived.

Madam Osei-Opare acknowledged progress through interventions such as the capitation grant and school feeding programme but urged greater policy consistency to sustain access to education and social services.

Advising students, she said there were no shortcuts to personal development and encouraged them to seize opportunities to contribute to society.

In a speech read on behalf of Madam Anna Lena Sabroso-Wasserfall, Country Representative of KAS Ghana, the Foundation said the dialogue series aimed to bridge political theory and practice by enabling students to engage directly with leaders.

She said universities had a responsibility to foster open, respectful and critical dialogue, adding that strengthening democracy began with strengthening engagement between future leaders and political practitioners.