Prof. Karikari warns of declining moral standards in Ghana’s leadership

A former Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa, Kwame Karikari, has expressed concern over what he describes as a steady decline in moral and ethical standards within leadership across Ghana’s Fourth Republic.

Speaking at an event marking World Press Freedom Day on Monday, May 4, 2026, he argued that professional ethics particularly in journalism are closely linked to the broader moral environment shaped by national leadership.

According to him, the ethical conduct of professionals is influenced by the standards set by leaders of key institutions, adding that societal values ultimately shape behaviour across various sectors.

Reflecting on Ghana’s Fourth Republic, Prof. Karikari said public life has increasingly been driven by commercial interests and political opportunism, often at the expense of merit and ethical leadership.

He lamented what he sees as a significant decline in leadership standards over the years, suggesting that many leaders across different sectors have fallen short of expected moral values.

Despite these concerns, he acknowledged Ghana’s continued reputation as a country that upholds freedom of expression and media independence.

Touching on the media, Prof. Karikari noted that while there are shortcomings in professionalism, these issues mirror wider societal challenges affecting governance, development, and public life.