Paul Adom-Otchere has raised concerns about how corruption has consistently shaped Ghana’s political campaigns since 2000, warning that the fight against corruption is often reduced to perception rather than substance.
He noted that corruption, while central to political discourse, has been treated “on the altar of optics rather than reality.”
He explained that while certain acts may appear corrupt to the public, they often fail to meet the legal standards of corruption when tested in court.
He cited recent comments by Deputy Attorney General Justice Ramsai, who clarified that individuals who acquired state lands at undervalued prices may not necessarily have breached any laws. Adom-Otchere described this as a reflection of a wider problem, the gap between public outrage and judicial proof.
The journalist argued that successive governments have risked their credibility by framing corruption in political terms, especially when public expectations for results clash with the slow pace of legal processes. He stressed that governments must differentiate between what wins elections and what sustains justice.
“Political operatives must be clearly aware of this dichotomy,” he said during Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana programme monitored by MyNewsGh, adding that perception-driven politics can create confusion and erode public trust in institutions if not carefully managed.
