In a wide-ranging press engagement earlier this weekend, Alex Tetteh, President of Citizen Eye Ghana, a civil society organization focused on governance and accountability, addressed critical national issues including alleged corruption under the previous Akufo-Addo administration, the ongoing Operation Recover All Loot, and the performance of the Ghana Gold Board.

Tetteh emphasised the need for thorough, non-partisan investigations into past misconduct and urged unity in supporting institutions delivering results for the economy.

His remarks come amid heightened public discourse on anti-corruption efforts and economic stabilization under the current government led by President John Dramani Mahama.

Probing Alleged Corruption from the Previous Administration

Tetteh highlighted what he described as systemic issues during the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia era, pointing to cases where individuals allegedly amassed significant wealth while in public office.

“How does one enter politics by just doing ‘tsooboi’ with basically no relevant experience, leads a very serious department like NEIP, fails woefully at their job and ends up with so much wealth in just under eight years?” Tetteh asked.

He stressed that politics must not serve as a “get-rich scheme.” He called for punishment of those who allegedly looted state resources, stating that such cases undermine public trust and should be pursued rigorously regardless of political affiliation.

Tetteh insisted that Nkansah must be put on the hot seat because his declaration on scholarships shows that he knows more and may be involved in the web of corruption than we may be aware of.

Tetteh framed these calls within broader support for Operation Recover All Loot, the government’s initiative to recover allegedly misappropriated public assets. He commended institutions like the Economic and Organised Crime Office, police, National Intelligence Bureau, and judiciary for their roles but insisted recoveries must rest on credible evidence and due process, not rhetoric.

Defending GoldBod and Criticizing Past Gold Management

Turning to economic matters, Alex Tetteh defended the Ghana Gold Board and its leadership under CEO Sammy Gyamfi, urging the NPP and other opposition figures to allow the institution to operate without distraction.

He contrasted the current approach with practices under the previous government, where middlemen allegedly profited from gold sales while Ghana incurred losses and the cedi weakened.

Under the NPP administration, Alex Tetteh claimed, Ghana bought gold, absorbed losses, saw the cedi deteriorate, and allowed intermediaries to enrich themselves.

In contrast, under the NDC-led government, the Gold Board has contributed to strengthening the cedi and boosting forex reserves through more direct, value-retaining mechanisms.

Ghana now makes more money from the gold we locally mine and we even refine gold for export. “Where were all those loud-mouthed individuals when we needed ideas to arrest the cedi and make Ghana benefit from our natural resources?” he asked.

He specifically called on Parliament to investigate why the Bank of Ghana under the Akufo-Addo government allegedly hid losses from the domestic gold purchase program.

Alex Tetteh noted reports of substantial losses tied to the program during that period, including exchange-rate spreads, fees, and discounts, which reportedly weakened the central bank’s position.

“Why are we complaining when the Gold Board has done a good job at moving the dollar from 18 cedis to 10 cedis?” he asked, adding that the NPP must “stop the partisan politics and support the government when they are doing well.”

While acknowledging potential shortcomings in other areas of governance, he asserted that the Gold Board is not one of them and should be allowed to continue stabilizing the economy.

Broader Call for Integrity and Bipartisanship

Throughout the engagement, Tetteh reiterated themes of institutional accountability balanced with recognition of successes. He has previously praised security agencies for operations against drug trafficking and economic crimes, calling for better welfare and promotions for high-performing officers while maintaining scrutiny.

His latest statements position Citizen Eye Ghana as a non-partisan watchdog advocating for transparent governance, recovery of public funds, and policies that prioritize national interest over political point-scoring.

Tetteh urged all sides to prioritize punishing looters, supporting effective institutions like the GoldBod, and ensuring politics serves the people rather than personal enrichment.

As Ghana pushes anti-corruption drives and economic recovery, Tetteh’s comments underscore ongoing debates about accountability across administrations and the role of specialized bodies in resource management.

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