Growing frustration with political corruption is pushing Ghanaian youth to idolise military coup leaders as ideal heads of state, Archbishop Charles Agyinasare has warned, blaming the trend on years of unpunished looting of state resources by politicians.

According to the founder of Perez Chapel International, headquartered at Dzorwulu in Accra, the failure of successive governments to prosecute corrupt officials has eroded young people’s faith in democracy and democratic leadership.

Speaking during his 31st December 2025 Watch-night Service themed “My Year of Turnaround,” Archbishop Agyinasare said the inauguration of a new National Democratic Congress government initially “ushered in fresh hope for renewal and reform,” but no accused persons have been tried and jailed after a full year in office.

He insisted that beyond political change, Ghana needs a moral turnaround to restore integrity and righteousness, warning that selective justice is emboldening wrongdoing. He noted that when one political party replaces another, millions of cedis identified by the Auditor-General as missing are often ignored, referencing the popular maxim, “All politicians have one mother.”

To emphasise the danger of impunity, Archbishop Agyinasare quoted Ecclesiastes 8:11: “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore, the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.”

“In one year of the NDC government, not many have been tried and jailed yet, even though there was so much campaign on dealing with corruption,” he bemoaned, adding: “We must turn around and insist that punishment meets wrongdoing and those who have swallowed our riches must be made to vomit.”

The Archbishop said the unchecked corruption has had a particularly damaging effect on the youth, who increasingly see politics as a fast track to personal wealth rather than public service. According to him, “AI analysis reflects a common Ghanaian perception: politics is seen as a route to personal enrichment—procurement scandals, weak accountability, and a ‘soli’ culture of cash handouts especially during elections.”

He echoed concerns that: “The way some politicians are enriching themselves before the ordinary citizens very soon we would have more politicians than citizens because everyone would want to be a politician.”

Archbishop Agyinasare expressed frustration that although the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament “regularly exposes appointees and politically exposed individuals who cause financial loss to the nation,” “Often, nothing happens, or at best, they receive a mere slap on the wrist.”

This culture of impunity, he warned, is radicalising the youth and turning them away from democratic ideals. “The youth see people enter public office and suddenly own eight houses in four years,” he said.

As a result, he observed that “the youth are no longer committed to democracy; they want governments that secure their future,” recalling that during President Mahama’s inauguration, “the visiting President who received the loudest applause was Captain Traoré of Burkina Faso.” He added: “In fact, he is the ideal head of state for most African youth because they think he is helping his people, not looting from them.”

He further warned that admiration for coup leaders reflects a deeper instability across the region. “Just four weeks ago in Benin, an attempted coup occurred—one day after my return from ministering there,” he noted.

The Archbishop said moral decay, fueled by political corruption, is spreading throughout society. He cited instances where “Masons building people’s houses steal the cement, those who work with the iron rods steal them, electricians steal cables from their site, storekeepers steal their masters.”

He questioned how wealth has replaced character as a moral standard among the youth, asking: “How can someone be caught in an alleged romance scam and our youth go on demonstration? They claim he is their role model. It means once you have money, people don’t care how you got it. We must turn around.”

He also condemned unethical practices across various sectors, stating that “teachers must stop sexually exploiting students,” while “pastors who charge for prayer” and are “not being financially accountable to any board” or engage in “sexual exploitation” must also turn around in 2026.

Calling for leadership by example, Archbishop Agyinasare said: “As ministers and believers, we must live above reproach, refusing compromise and corruption in every form—financially, sexually, relationally, and in leadership.”

He concluded by urging judicial reform, stressing that the judiciary “must regain respect and judge righteously”.