The Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) has advocated for a continent-wide enforcement of the Whistleblower Act, which safeguards the rights and security of individuals who expose corruption, shielding them from potential reprisals.
The anti-graft body called on all African nations to join forces in condemning, combating, and exposing corruption, thereby fostering a culture of integrity that propels continental progress and growth.
“The Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), the national chapter of Transparency International (TI), on the 8th anniversary of the Africa Anti-Corruption Day, joins the rest of Africa to call for an effective implementation of the Whistleblowers Act”.
“GII further commends the African Union for recognizing the important role of whistleblowers in the fight against corruption as is evident in this year’s theme: “Effective Whistleblowers Protection Mechanism: A Critical Tool in the Fight Against Corruption.”
Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII)
GII noted that Ghana has taken a significant step by enacting the Whistleblower Act (Act 720) in 2006, which offers legal shields and incentives to individuals who courageously report corruption and other illicit activities that hinder the nation’s progress.
This legislation, GII pointed out, aims to foster a culture of transparency and accountability, promoting Ghana’s development and growth.
The Anti-graft body further noted that the Act empowers victims and witnesses of corruption to disclose information about observed corrupt or unlawful activities.
GII also indicated that the Act provides robust protection and attractive incentives to whistleblowers, ensuring their safety and recognizing their valuable contributions to exposing corruption and promoting accountability.
The Anti-graft institution indicated that following over two decades of implementing the Whistleblowers Act, the Parliament of Ghana amended the Act in 2023.
GII indicated that the amendment widened the funding streams of the Act to enable the establishment of the Whistleblower Reward Fund as provided by the Act.
Whistleblower Protection: OSP Act And Whistleblowers Act
Moreover, the Ghana Integrity Initiative noted that Section 72(3) of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) Act 2017 (Act 959) acknowledges the witness protection provided for in the Whistleblowers Act, in addition to the protection provided for in Sections 72(1) and 72(2) of the OSP Act.
“Furthermore, in 2018, the Parliament of Ghana passed the Witness Protection Act, 2018 (Act 975) which establishes a Witness Protection Programme for endangered persons who as a result of providing information to law enforcement agencies about corruption and other offenses are exposed to the risk of harm or threats”.
Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII)
The Anti-graft Organization pointed out that, notwithstanding the comprehensive whistleblower protection laws enacted, the 2019 Global Corruption Barometer survey reveals that citizens still harbor a deep-seated fear of reprisal.
This, according to GII, is a stark reminder that more work needs to be done to ensure their safety and confidence in reporting corruption.
GII also noted that this pervasive fear has resulted in a stark underreporting of corruption cases in the country, with many incidents likely going unexposed and unaddressed.
“Therefore, on the occasion of the 8th Africa Union Anti-Corruption Day, GII calls on the government to establish and resource the Whistleblower Reward Fund as provided for in the Whistleblower (Amendment) Act, 2023 (Act 1103) and increase public education on the law to encourage victims and witnesses of corruption to report corruption”.
Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII)
The Anti-Corruption Entity indicated that Public entities such as the NCCE and CHRAJ as well as CSOs must also increase public awareness among the citizenry on the provisions of the laws to ensure that citizens are empowered enough to report corruption.
As such, GII urged citizens to embrace their civic duty and take an active role in reporting corruption, joining forces to condemn, combat, and expose corruption in all its forms.
GII encouraged citizens to join forces in the fight against corruption, promoting a culture of integrity and accountability by renouncing, rejecting, and reporting corrupt practices, ultimately driving national progress and development.
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