Anti-corruption campaigner Vitus Azeem has expressed deep disappointment over the handling of the alleged GHC280 million extortion and money laundering scandal at the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), stating that it is unfortunate the current administration is the one probing the matter.
Speaking on ABC News GH, Mr. Azeem said, “They are very serious charges, and if proved…” but lamented that it is “sad” such grave allegations were not exposed or investigated by the previous government when it had the opportunity.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has charged seven individuals, including former NPA CEO Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, along with three companies, in connection with the scandal.
The charges stem from investigations into collusion between NPA officials and oil marketing firms to divert public funds.
Mr. Azeem questioned why it took the opposition party in government to initiate accountability, describing the silence of the former administration as disappointing and harmful to anti-corruption efforts.
According to Azeem, a toxic culture of fear within public institutions continues to stifle whistleblowing.
He explained that staff who attempt to report wrongdoing often face punishment, either directly or indirectly, while their complaints go unaddressed.
This, he said, is a key reason corruption continues to fester.
The OSP has pledged to continue its probe and urged all public agencies to support the fight against graft, but Azeem warns that without institutional courage and protection for insiders, such efforts will remain surface-level.
