A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and OccupyGhana have expressed profound disappointment over the Cabinet’s reluctance to approve the Conduct of Public Officers Bill (CoPO) for enactment.
In a joint statement, the CSOs condemned what they described as a significant failure of the government to fulfill its promises to Ghanaians and the international community, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The statement challenges the Cabinet’s assertion that existing laws are sufficient to address the conduct of public officers. The CSOs argue that this claim is misleading and fails to acknowledge the inadequacies in the current legal framework, which has allowed corruption and unethical conduct to persist in the public sector.
“The Cabinet’s resistance to the CoPO Bill is inexplicably shocking,” the statement reads, noting that the Bill was first introduced in 2008 and has since faced multiple delays despite repeated assurances from high-ranking officials, including Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. In December 2019, Dr. Bawumia had described the Bill as “the oldest outstanding bill before Parliament,” and vowed that the government would collaborate with Parliament to pass it into law by early 2020. This promise remains unfulfilled.
A Long-Awaited Reform
The 2022 CoPO Bill aims to introduce crucial reforms in the declaration of assets and liabilities, conflict of interest regulations, and the enforcement of codes of conduct for public officials. One of its most significant provisions would require public officials to declare their assets before assuming office, a shift from the current practice where declarations can be made up to three months after appointment. This change, the CSOs argue, would curb the practice of “presumptive” declarations, where officials declare assets they anticipate acquiring while in office.
“Successive governments since 1993 have unconstitutionally extended the time for appointed public officials to declare their assets,” the CSOs stated, emphasizing that this loophole has allowed many officials to avoid declaring their assets altogether.
Rising Concerns Over Corruption
The statement also highlights the growing public frustration with corruption in Ghana. According to a 2022 Afrobarometer survey, 77% of Ghanaians believe that corruption in the country has increased, and 69% see widespread corruption in key public institutions. The CSOs argue that the enactment of the CoPO Bill would be a significant step towards restoring public confidence in government institutions and ensuring that public funds are used effectively.
Ghana’s poor performance on the 2023 Corruption Perception Index, where it scored 43 out of 100 and ranked 70th out of 180 countries, further underscores the need for comprehensive anti-corruption legislation. The CSOs criticized the Cabinet for its failure to act, describing the government’s response to corruption as “merely paying lip service” to its constitutional responsibility to eradicate corrupt practices and abuse of power.
A Call to Action
The CSOs are urging the Ghanaian public, fellow civil society organizations, and the media to join in their campaign to ensure that the CoPO Bill is approved by Cabinet and passed into law by Parliament. They argue that the Bill is essential for creating an efficient and well-functioning public sector that can drive economic development and improve the welfare of all Ghanaians.
The statement also calls out the current government for its inconsistent promises regarding the Bill. While the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had committed to enforcing the 2018 version of the Bill in its 2020 manifesto, the recently launched manifesto instead promises the enactment of a Corruption Act to consolidate existing corruption-related offenses. The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has also shifted its stance, now promising to implement a code of conduct for public officers rather than enacting comprehensive legislation.
The CSOs warn that without sustained public pressure, the CoPO Bill will continue to face delays, and the fight against corruption in Ghana will remain stalled. “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,’” the statement concluded.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
