We must actually sanction corrupt officials to deter others – Vitus Azeem urges

Anti-graft campaigner Vitus Azeem has called on government to go beyond rhetoric and begin sanctioning corrupt officials as a meaningful step toward deterring misconduct in public office.

Speaking to ABC News GH in response to the ongoing GH¢49.1 million financial misconduct allegations involving former National Signals Bureau head Kwabena Adu-Boahene, Mr. Azeem expressed concern that corruption cases linked to government appointees are rarely treated with seriousness.

“We don’t sanction when we should, and that is why corruption continues to thrive,” he stated, warning that the lack of accountability only emboldens further abuse of public resources.

Mr. Azeem emphasized that “there’s still a lot to this case” and urged investigators to thoroughly probe the circumstances surrounding the alleged transactions.

The controversy emerged after Adu-Boahene denied any wrongdoing and clarified, in a letter to the National Security Coordinator, that the funds were spent on operational expenses, including vehicle purchases and payments to Members of Parliament and opposition figures.

He argued that the disbursement involved two accounts managed by National Security one operated by the Bureau of National Communications and another jointly owned with his wife for sensitive operations.

As public scrutiny intensifies, Mr. Azeem stressed the need for transparency and enforcement of anti-corruption measures to restore public trust. “We need to be serious with the sanctions,” he insisted, “so it will discourage others.” The case has reignited debates around accountability, internal controls within the intelligence services, and the political will to root out corruption across all levels of government.