Civil society organizations, including the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and OccupyGhana, have raised concerns about the inadequacy of the anti-corruption measures proposed by Ghana’s two major political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
In a recent statement, these organizations criticized the anti-corruption promises outlined in the NPP and NDC manifestos for the upcoming December 7 elections. They expressed disappointment that both parties have failed to demonstrate a strong commitment to combating public sector corruption.
The CSOs highlighted the significant delay in passing the Conduct of Public Officers Bill (CoPO), a vital legislative tool aimed at curbing corruption. They attributed this delay to the lack of dedication from both the government and Parliament. This lack of urgency is mirrored in the manifestos of both the NPP and NDC, according to the CSOs.
The CSOs pointed out that while the 2020 NPP manifesto promises to publish and enforce the 2018 CoPO Bill to support Article 24 of the Constitution, the NDC has only committed to enacting conflict of interest legislation for government officials. However, in their recently launched manifesto, the NPP now proposes the enactment of a Corruption Act to consolidate existing corruption-related offenses, while the NDC shifts focus to implementing a code of conduct for public officers rather than pushing for new legislation.
The CSOs expressed concern that without significant public pressure, the delays and lack of commitment will persist. They emphasized the importance of the CoPO Bill, echoing Vice President Dr. Bawumia’s 2019 statement that the bill is crucial for building integrity within the public service and should not be further delayed.
The enactment of the CoPO Bill, according to the CSOs, is essential for creating a well-functioning public sector, capable of maximizing economic development and ensuring the welfare, freedom, and happiness of all Ghanaians, as outlined in Article 36(1) of the Constitution.
