President Akufo-Addo speaking at the conference
President Akufo-Addo, has stated that the Attorney-General, on behalf of the government, is leading the effort to enact a law on the Conduct of Public Officers.
According to him, the Attorney General has, undertaken various stakeholder consultations with key public sector organisations, civil society and other interest groups.
“When passed into law, the Conduct of Public Officers Act will follow the example of legislations in other jurisdictions like the United States Ethics in Government Act of 1978, the Public Officers Ethics Act of Kenya of 2003, and the U.K. Constitutional and Governance Act of 2010, in addressing issues regarding financial portfolios held by public officers before assuming public office, links to family business, improper enrichment, care of public property, professional practices, property, investments/shareholdings and other assets, self-dealing, partiality in the performance of duties, use of public or confidential information to further private interest, amongst others,” he said.
The President made this known at the 2023 Bar Conference of the Ghana Bar Association, in Cape Coast, in the Central Region.
“The Bill will provide a gamut of stringent administrative measures and sanctions to deal with violations of the law, ranging from a bar against holding public office for limited and indefinite periods, to penal measures,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo continued, “The Bill will also seek to strengthen the role of CHRAJ in the investigation of allegations of contravention of or non-compliance with the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, including conflict of interest, non-declaration of assets, and illicit enrichment. The Attorney General will bring the Bill soon for the consideration of Cabinet and subsequent enactment by Parliament, upon the conclusion of his consultations. “
The President thus assured that the fight to enhance standards and integrity in public life will continue under his government.
“We will enforce the law, no matter who is affected because it is a necessary foundation for the successful fight against corruption, and for guaranteeing integrity in public life. The law must truly be no respecter of persons,” he added.