Fiscal Accountability Fellow at the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), Maltiti Mohammed, has raised concerns over the growing reluctance of young professionals in Ghana’s energy sector to report suspected financial irregularities or impropriety due to fears of victimisation and job insecurity.
Speaking during the NorvanReports, Economic Governance Platform (EGP) and Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) X Space discussion on the theme “Whistleblowing Without Fear: Protecting Young Voices That Speak Truth to Power,” on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, Mr Mohammed said junior officers often lack access to full corporate information, making it difficult for them to detect and confidently report complex corruption schemes.
According to him, young analysts may only identify “obvious red flags” or minor financial inconsistencies, but the ideal practice of reporting such concerns internally is often undermined by the prevailing work culture and fear of reprisals.
“In most public-sector institutions, especially in the energy sector, young people occupy junior roles, so they are not privy to the full scope of corporate information,” he noted. “Ideally, you should report irregularities internally to a supervisor, but given the current Ghanaian circumstance—job security and unemployment—doing so puts you at risk of being tagged as a ‘chuka’.”
He explained that whistleblowing is often perceived negatively, with young professionals fearing potential harassment, stalled career progression or outright dismissal if they raise concerns within their organisations.
“No young person wants to be flagged as a ‘chuka’, especially when your entire career is ahead of you,” he stressed. “The risk outweighs any benefits, and whistleblowers are often profiled internally, making the process even more risky.”
Mr Mohammed argued that given these realities, it is safer for young workers to channel concerns through external accountability institutions, including civil society organisations or relevant state bodies, which are better positioned to protect their identity and prevent retaliation.
“In the current circumstance, I would prefer approaching an external party like a CSO or a government body responsible for these issues,” he said. “They have the backing to protect your identity properly and ensure there is no form of retaliation.”
Citing past incidents, he referenced cases where young people who publicly advocated for accountability faced punitive measures from employers. She pointed to events following the youth-led “Stop Ghalamsey” protest in 2023–2024, during which some participants reportedly received termination letters for their involvement.
“These things actually happen—it is a reality,” he emphasised. “Even within private corporate sectors, individuals who speak up often face consequences.”
His remarks reinforce longstanding concerns about weak whistleblower protections in Ghana and highlight the need for stronger institutional safeguards to encourage young professionals to report wrongdoing without fear.