Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has announced the imminent presentation of a revised Conduct of Public Officers Bill to Parliament as part of the Mahama government’s efforts to bolster the nation’s fight against corruption.
The Vice President emphasized that the revised bill will culminate in extensive consultations, incorporating the “views of civil society organisations, anti-corruption institutions, the media, the international community, and all relevant stakeholders to ensure it stands the test of time.
She stressed that this collaborative approach aims to create a durable and effective legal framework.
Read: Vice President Naana Jane advocates sustainable funding for anti-corruption institutions
The Vice President disclosed this at a High-Level Conference on Anti-Corruption Architecture in Accra where she reaffirmed the Mahama-led administration’s unwavering commitment to eradicating the scourge.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang underscored the administration’s proactive stance, citing the recent launch of a comprehensive code of conduct for all presidential appointees, which she said establishes clear ethical standards from the highest levels of government.
She also pointed to President Mahama’s commitment to reviewing the 1992 Constitution to make it fit for purpose to meet Ghana’s current governance challenges’ as further evidence of his dedication to the anti-corruption fight.
A key focus of the Vice President’s address was the critical need for sustainable funding for anti-corruption bodies.
According to her, this measure would reduce the influence and enhance the independence of these vital institutions, thereby ‘shielding them from undue political interference’ and ensuring they can ‘deliver on their mandate.’
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also threw considerable weight behind calls for a new legal framework to hold both public and private officials accountable for unexplained wealth, which signals a significant step towards greater financial transparency and accountability across all sectors.
The Vice President declared, “Corruption is not inevitable. It is a choice to prioritise personal gain over public good, short-term benefits over long-term development, and narrow interests over national progress.”
She urged a collective recommitment to the fight, advocating for the revitalization of institutions, strengthening of laws, empowerment of citizens, and cross-border collaboration to build an Africa that is truly prosperous and peaceful—driven by its citizens and guided by the principles of integrity, transparency, and accountability.
The High-Level Conference, spearheaded by the African Union Advisory Board Against Anti-Corruption, is themed “Revitalising the anti-corruption architecture in Africa: Ghana’s accountability journey.