The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Honourable Godfred Yeboah Dame has recounted several legislative measures that the current government has facilitated it passage as part of its effort of combating corruption in the country.
Mr Dame speaking at the 14th Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Accra, underscored the government’s commitment to curbing the menace that has plagued various sectors of the country.
He highlighted the passage of eight pivotal legislations under the New Patriotic Party administration led by President Akufo-Addo to bolster existing anti-corruption measures.
Among these enactments he stated include the Revenue Administration (Amendment) Act, 2020 (Act 1029), Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2018 (Act 982), State Interests and Governance Authority Act, 2019 (Act 990), and the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044).
Other legislations according to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice include the Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency Act, 2020 (Act 1015), Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992), Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019), and Real Estate Agency Act, 2020 (Act 1047).
Mr Godfred Yeboah Dame emphasized that the passage of these legislations signifies the New Patriotic Party administration’s significant stride in its relentless pursuit to root out corruption from the fabric of the Ghanaian society.
He stressed that the passage of the above mentioned legislations coupled with stringent enforcement mechanisms, form a formidable arsenal in the current government’s fight against corruption.
Furthermore, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Honorable Godfred Yeboah Dame highlighted the proactive steps taken by the Office of Attorney-General in amending the Contracts Act, 1960 (Act 25), effectively prohibiting the payment of compound interest by the State in transactions orchestrated by public officers.
He noted that the Contracts (Amendment) Act, 2023 (Act 1114), stands as a robust safeguard against exorbitant interest rates that often lead to substantial financial losses for the State.
“Corruption sometimes involves the existence of situations taken advantage of by persons entrusted with public power to inflict severe financial hardships on the State.
“To curb the inimical tendency on the part of public officers to enter into contracts with high rates of interest especially compound interest which results in huge judgment debt and financial loss to the State, the Office of Attorney-General in July 2023 successfully sponsored an amendment to the Contracts Act, 1960 (Act 25) to prohibit the payment of compound interest by the State in transactions entered into on her behalf by public officers”.
Godfred yeboah Dame, Ghana’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice
NPP’s Digitalization Initiatives to Combat Corruption
Moreover, Mr Dame touted the current government’s concerted effort towards digitalization as a pivotal strategy to enhance transparency and efficiency within the public sector.
He highlighted various initiatives such as the National Identification System, Digital Property Address System, Paperless Port Systems, E-Justice Systems, and digitized Land Title Registry as all part of the current government digitization effort to root out corruption in the country.
Underscoring the importance of the enrolment of the various digital platforms and systems, Mr Dame stated that such initiative by the government not only streamline administrative processes but also serve as potent tools in the fight against corruption.
He emphasized that key institutions of state, including the Passport Office, Ports and Harbours, Office of the Registrar of Companies, National Health Insurance Service, and the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority, have all undergone remarkable transformation due to the current government’s digitization efforts.
He noted that these institutions, which were once susceptible to corrupt activities, have undergone substantial reforms, resulting in increased accountability and integrity.
Mr Dame single out the implementation of the Ghana.Gov platform as one of the significant platform that has reduced the risk of corruption by enabling online service delivery and payments, avoiding the involvement of intermediaries or third parties.
He emphasized that digitization fosters transparency, accountability, and efficiency, which are essential elements in the country’s battle against corruption
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr Godfred Yeboah Dame concluded his remarks by stating that the collective efforts of legislative reform and digitalization initiatives underscore the current government’s unwavering commitment to eradicating corruption and fostering a transparent and accountable governance system.
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