A Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and OccupyGhana have jointly condemned the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for their lacklustre approaches to combating public sector corruption as outlined in their manifestos ahead of the December 7, 2024, general elections.
In a joint statement, the CSOs and OccupyGhana raised significant concerns regarding the anti-corruption strategies proposed by the two major political parties.
The CSOs highlighted the consistent failure of both the NPP and NDC to pass the Conduct of Public Officers Bill (CoPO), a legislative tool deemed essential in the fight against corruption.
This failure, they argued, stems from a lack of genuine commitment by the government and Parliament, reflected in the manifestos of both parties.
“The 2020 NPP Manifesto promised the publication and enforcement of the 2018 CoPO Bill to give effect to Article 24 of the Constitution, whereas the NDC promised the enactment of conflict of interest legislation for all Government officials including the executive and the legislation”.
Coalition of Civil Society Organizations and OccupyGhana
However, the CSOs argued that both parties have shifted their stance in their recently launched manifestos.
They indicated that while the ruling NPP now promises to enact a Corruption Act to consolidate existing corruption-related offences, the opposition NDC merely proposes the implementation of a code of conduct for public officers instead of specific legislation.
“We are concerned that this deliberate dithering will remain until the people of Ghana take a firm interest in the Bill. As Dr Bawumia said in 2019, the CoPO is ‘one law that can help build integrity in the Public Service, and we cannot afford to delay it any further.”
Coalition of Civil Society Organizations and OccupyGhana
Enactment of CoPO Bill
The CSOs and OccupyGhana also stressed that the enactment of the CoPO Bill would set the tone for an efficient and well-functioning public sector, aligning with Article 36(1) of the Constitution, which emphasizes maximizing economic development and securing the welfare, freedom, and happiness of every Ghanaian.
They further criticized the prolonged delays in passing the CoPO Bill, arguing that these delays reflect a lack of commitment from both the government and Parliament in tackling public corruption.
They decried the bill’s long and arduous journey, pointing out that its passage could have addressed numerous cases of unexplained wealth and other corruption-related issues.
The CSOs and OccupyGhana expressed surprise and concern over the bill’s continued stagnation, especially since it was recommended for adoption by Parliament’s Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee as far back as July 2020.
They alleged that the bill is facing strong resistance at the cabinet level, which they find “inexplicably shocking,” given the bill’s potential to significantly curb corruption.
“We are convinced that the recent issues concerning public officials and apparently unexplained wealth would have been resolved if the 2022 CoPO Bill had been enacted. Possibly, that is why the Bill is facing strong resistance in Cabinet against its approval”.
Coalition of Civil Society Organizations and OccupyGhana
Additionally, the Coalition of CSOs and OccupyGhana emphasized that the non-passage of the CoPO Bill since its introduction in 2013 suggests a lack of commitment by successive governments and parliaments to fight the rising cases of alleged corruption, particularly those involving procurement and conflict of interest breaches in the Fourth Republic.
Blaming the rising levels of public corruption perception on the delays in passing the bill, the CSOs cited a recent Afrobarometer survey, which revealed that a significant majority (77%) of Ghanaians believe corruption has worsened, with many (69%) perceiving widespread corruption in key public institutions.
The survey according to groups also highlighted the fear of retaliation among citizens who report cases of corruption.
The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations and OccupyGhana concluded by underscoring the urgent need for the CoPO Bill to be enacted, stressing that it would ensure public officers declare their assets when assuming and leaving office, thereby fostering transparency and accountability in the public sector.
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