The Chair of the African Union (AU) Advisory Board against Corruption, Madam Seynabou Ndiaye Diakhate, has expressed the board's willingness to support Ghana strengthen its anti-graft institutions to combat corruption."You already have the various anti-corruption institutions in place that has made Ghana the shining example on the continent, what is needed now is that big push to enable the country maintain that standard it has set up for itself," she stated.Madam Diakhate made these remarks when she led a seven-member delegation of the board to pay a courtesy call on the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin in Accra yesterday.The week-long visit, sought to review Ghana's implementation of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption.The board is expected to engage with anti-graft institutions including the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and civil society organisations (CSOs) to exchange ideas and experiences, as well as assess the country's challenge in implementing the convention in order to chart the way forward towards curbing corruption.Member states on July 11, 2003 adopted the AU convention on preventing and combating corruption at the second ordinary session of the assembly in Maputo, Mozambique, to deal with corruption related matters in Africa.Madam Diakhate indicated that the team was in the country to assess what had been done in achieving such targets, share experiences as well as make recommendations to improve on what has been achieved so far in terms of fighting graft.She expressed optimism that the Board's recommendations after reviewing Ghana's performance would aid the nation in strengthening her anti-graft institutions and combating corruption head-onMr Bagbin, in his welcome remarks, said Ghana, over the years, had exhibited immense commitment towards rooting out corruption through the passage of various legislations and setting up of anti-graft institutions.He said, for instance, in 2001, the country adopted a Zero tolerance against Corruption policy, and subsequently passed laws including the Anti-Money Laundering Act, Whistle Blowers Act, Witness Protection Act and recently the Rights to Information Act to aid the crusade against corruption in the country.The Speaker stated that the establishment of anti-graft institutions such as the Serious Fraud Office, which was upgraded to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and Office of the Special Prosecutor would all enhance governance mechanisms against corruption in Ghana with parliament being at the forefront of the crusade.He said, for instance, Parliament had passed a code of conduct and guidelines for members and staff, revised its standing orders and established a department of anti-corruption within its governance structures.Mr Bagbin said Parliament has also set up the privileges committee, the ethics and standards office and office of profits to improve governance and accountability in its operations and, therefore, expected every Member of Parliament to live above reproach and be a shinning example to others in society, Mr Bagbin stated.The parliament of Ghana, he said, had also instituted the Citizens Bureau that provided a platform for the citizens and CSOs to petition the legislative body on issues of national interest for the necessary investigations and action to be taken.Mr Bagbin said, for instance, through the due diligence of the Parliament's Public Accounts Committee in 2024, it was able to save the nation over GH¢273 million and provided 252 recommendations to improve accountability in state agencies.Mr Bagbin gave the assurance that Parliament of Ghana would continue to play a leading role in promoting and exposing corruption and ensuring integrity amongst Ghanaians to engender growth and prosperity BY LAWRENCE VOMAFA-AKPALU
AU advisory board ready to support country’s anti-graft institutions - Ndiaye Diakhate - Ghanaian Times
Published:
1 day ago
Source:
Ghanaian Times