Corruption combat futile if restricted to politically uncovered individuals – Bobby Banson – Life Pulse Daily

Corruption Combat Futile if Restricted to Politically Exposed Individuals – Bobby Banson – Life Pulse Daily

Introduction: Systemic Corruption and the Need for Holistic Solutions

Bobby Banson, a renowned legal scholar and lecturer at the Ghana School of Law, has challenged the effectiveness of anti-corruption strategies that focus exclusively on politically exposed individuals. His argument, highlighted in a recent interview on Newsfile via PleasureNews, emphasizes that sustainable corruption mitigation requires a comprehensive, system-wide approach rooted in technological innovation and legal accountability.

Banson’s critique gains urgency as Ghana grapples with escalating allegations of graft involving public institutions. For instance, the Attorney-General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, revealed in October 2025 that financial irregularities in the National Service Authority scandal had ballooned to GH¢2.2 billion—a stark contrast to the GH¢5 million disclosed earlier that year. Such cases underscore the limitations of targeting only high-profile offenders while systemic vulnerabilities persist.

Analysis: Why Systemic Reforms Are Non-Negotiable

The Flaws of Politically Tethered Anti-Corruption Efforts

Politically exposed individuals (PEIs) often endure disproportionate scrutiny, but Banson argues that this focus is misguided. “When we isolate corruption to PEIs, we fail to address its structural roots,” he asserts. Corruption thrives in environments where opaque decision-making, lack of oversight, and weak institutional frameworks enable malfeasance.

The National Service Authority and District Road Improvement Programme scandals exemplify this. These cases involve not just individual actors but systemic failures in procurement processes and financial auditing. Banson contends that without overhauling these systems, isolated prosecutions will remain symbolic rather than transformative.

Technology as a Catalyst for Transparency

Banson advocates for leveraging technology to create “transparent and constant processes.” Tools like blockchain for procurement tracking, AI-driven audits, and open-access dashboards could mitigate human interference and reduce opportunities for graft. Such measures align with global anti-corruption frameworks promoted by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Summary: Key Takeaways from Banson’s Argument

• Targeting only PEIs neglects systemic corruption drivers.
• Transparent, technology-driven processes are critical for sustainability.
• Legal and institutional reforms (e.g., separating the Attorney-General role) are essential.

Key Points: Operationalizing Systemic Corruption Mitigation

1. Prioritize Systemic Over Individual Accountability

Audit-prone sectors like public procurement and tendering must adopt standardized, automated systems. The District Road Improvement Programme’s overpayment scandal highlights how manual processes enable corruption.

2. Legal and Institutional Reforms

Banson calls for decoupling the Attorney-General and Justice Minister roles to ensure impartial oversight. This separation, mirroring models in Botswana and Rwanda, could enhance accountability.

3. Public Engagement and Education

Grassroots campaigns to educate citizens on anti-corruption measures foster civic vigilance. Platforms like Ghana’s E-Transform initiative demonstrate how technology can empower public oversight.

Practical Advice: Actionable Steps for Ghana

Adopt Digital Governance Frameworks

Implement blockchain-based land registries and e-procurement platforms to reduce human intervention. Rwanda’s “E-Government” strategy has slashed processing times and graft in public contracts.

Strengthen Legal Frameworks

Amend the Corruption Management Act to criminalize systemic offenses like procurement collusion and mandate mandatory disclosure of assets for all public servants.

Leverage Civil Society Partnerships

Collaborate with organizations like Transparency International Ghana to monitor implementation of reforms and hold institutions accountable.

Points of Caution: Navigating Challenges

• Resistance to Institutional Change: Powerful stakeholders may oppose reforms that threaten entrenched interests.
• Resource Limitations: Technological upgrades require significant investment and capacity building.
• Cultural Barriers: Public trust in institutions must be rebuilt through consistent transparency.

Comparison: Systemic vs. Reactive Anti-Corruption Approaches

Legal Implications: Separating Powers for Accountability

Banson’s call to separate the Attorney-General from the Justice Ministry is rooted in precedents where merged roles led to conflicts. For instance, in Jamaica, this separation reduced allegations of prosecutorial bias. Legally, such reforms could align Ghana’s system with

The separation could also enable independent investigations into sensitive cases, such as the National Food and Buffer Stock Company scandal, where the AG’s dual role complicates transparency.

Conclusion: A Paradigm Shift in Anti-Corruption

Bobby Banson’s insights challenge Ghana to move beyond reactive measures and embrace systemic reforms. By integrating technology, legal innovation, and public engagement, Ghana can address corruption at its roots. As Dr. Ayine’s escalating figures demonstrate, piecemeal efforts will falter without structural overhaul.

FAQ: Addressing Common Questions

Why focus on systemic reforms instead of individuals?

Isolating individuals leaves systemic loopholes intact. Corruption is a collective action problem; solutions must target incentives and institutional design.

What role does technology play?

Digitization reduces discretion in decision-making. Ghana’s E-Tax system, for example, has minimized human interaction in revenue collection.

Is separating the AG and Justice roles feasible?

Yes, but requires constitutional amendments and political will. Botswana’s model shows separation improves judicial independence.