Akufo-Addo
President Nana Akufo-Addo has stated that the current legislation concerning the conduct of public officers is inadequate for ensuring public office accountability.
To address this issue, he announced plans to establish a comprehensive set of regulations for the conduct of public officers, which will align with Chapter 24 of the Constitution on Conduct of Public Officers.
Speaking at the 2023 Ghana Bar Conference at the University of Cape Coast on Monday, 11 September 2023, President Akufo-Addo revealed that the Attorney-General, representing the Government, is spearheading the effort to draft a law on the Conduct of Public Officers.
He said the Attorney General has engaged in extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including public sector organisations, civil society, and other interest groups.
Once passed into law, the Conduct of Public Officers Act will draw inspiration from legislations in other countries such as 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.
It will address a wide range of issues related to public officers' conduct, including their financial holdings before assuming public office, connections to family businesses, improper enrichment, the care of public property, professional practices, property ownership, investments, and self-dealing. It will also address issues like partiality in the performance of duties and the use of public or confidential information for personal gain.
President Akufo-Addo emphasised that the proposed bill would introduce stringent administrative measures and sanctions for violations of the law. These sanctions could include bans on holding public office for defined periods or indefinitely, as well as other penal measures.
Furthermore, the bill will seek to enhance the role of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) in investigating allegations of violations of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers. These allegations could involve conflicts of interest, failure to declare assets, and illicit enrichment.
The President stated that the Attorney General will soon present the bill to Cabinet for consideration, followed by its enactment through the parliamentary process.
This initiative, he said reflects the government's commitment to strengthening transparency, accountability, and integrity in public office in the country.