Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has acknowledged President John Dramani Mahama’s responsiveness to corruption-related revelations, saying decisive state action following media investigations remains one of the strongest incentives for journalists committed to public accountability.
In a reflection on recent developments, he stated that several high-profile contracts flagged through his investigations were cancelled under the current administration, reinforcing the importance of collaboration between investigative reporting and political will.
“In June this year, President John Dramani Mahama announced the discontinuation of the 19-year-old fraudulent contract between the Youth Employment Agency and Zoomlion Ghana Limited,” he said. “I had been fighting that unconscionable deal for 12 years. The contract was worth GHS456 million a year.”
Manasseh cited another case in July 2025 involving the Ghana Airport Company.
“An investigation I led revealed how the Ghana Airport Company signed a dubious revenue assurance contract three days before the 2024 election,” he noted, explaining that the agreement was awarded to a mining firm owned by the CEO of Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML).
“That contract was cancelled as a result of the investigation. Thankfully, no money had been paid in this shady deal to the company, which had only one worker but deployed SML staff to implement the project.”
He added that in October 2025, the president directed the Finance Minister to terminate the $500 million SML contract with the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Revenue Authority.
“Besides the conducive atmosphere, which President Mahama has often afforded journalists like me to do our work, there is no greater motivation and encouragement to investigative journalists than acting on their work,” he stressed.
“If you reject obscene bribes and risk your life and those of your family, you expect duty bearers to do their part.”
He recalled similar action during the GYEEDA scandal more than a decade ago.
“Two people went to jail and some lost their jobs; more than 10 contracts were cancelled, saving Ghana over $100 million; and a law, the Youth Employment Agency Act, was passed as part of sweeping reforms to stop the bleeding.”
Manasseh expressed appreciation while noting he would continue to demand accountability.
“Mr. President, I will likely demand more and criticise you in the future, but I want you to know that should I ever write the story of my journalism and anti-corruption crusade, you will feature in its glorious pages. Thank you, sir.”
