In a bold and controversial statement that has sparked widespread debate, Upper East Regional Minister Donatus Akamugri Atanga has accused technocrats of being complicit — and even instructive — in acts of corruption often blamed solely on politicians.
Speaking at a Regional Coordinating Council meeting in Bolgatanga, Mr. Atanga challenged the prevailing public narrative that corruption in Ghana is driven primarily by political figures.
“Sometimes we talk about corruption, we eye only the politicians, but the technocrats are also part of it,” he said.
“We [politicians] are not the only corrupt people, you [technocrats] are also corrupt. You show us the tricks to get corrupt, you show us how to manipulate documents. The politician doesn’t manipulate any documents.”
The minister’s comments have shone a spotlight on the often-overlooked role of civil servants and public administrators in governance scandals, calling into question the integrity of systems that are supposed to ensure transparency and accountability.
His remarks were delivered in front of an audience of key regional stakeholders, including District Chief Executives, Presiding Members, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and development partners.
While emphasizing President John Dramani Mahama’s administration’s commitment to fighting corruption — particularly through a newly launched code of conduct for public officials — Mr. Atanga made it clear that ethical reform must extend beyond elected officials.
“There is no room for corruption in this government,” he stressed, pointing specifically to malpractice surrounding the smuggling of subsidized fertilizers meant for farmers as an example of collusion between politicians and bureaucrats.
The minister’s forthright appeal is being interpreted as both a whistle-blowing gesture and a call for collective accountability in the fight against corruption, urging technocrats to uphold integrity as much as the politicians they work alongside.
The fallout from Mr. Atanga’s statements is expected to fuel further conversation on Ghana’s corruption fight — one that increasingly demands scrutiny of the system as a whole, not just its political leaders.
