The Member of Parliament for Ketu North has urged stricter ethical standards around public recognition of officials, saying awards tied to sponsorships from institutions overseen by awardees undermine public trust.
In a Facebook post, the MP wrote, “PUBLIC OFFICE, PUBLIC TRUST. I support recognising public officials who perform their duties well and make a meaningful difference in the lives of Ghanaians. Public service demands sacrifice, commitment, and leadership. When public officials deliver exceptional results, we should acknowledge and celebrate their contributions.”
But the lawmaker warned that the process for selecting and funding such awards can create conflicts of interest or the perception of impropriety.
“We must address not only actual conflicts of interest but also situations that create the perception of impropriety,” the MP said, adding that recognition “should never be linked, directly or indirectly, to financial contributions.”
The statement was prompted by recent controversy around the Ghana Ministers of State Excellence Awards.
The MP said the central question is “should public officials receive awards from events that solicit sponsorships or financial contributions from the institutions they supervise or lead? This is an ethical question that must be settled.”
The MP also cited allegations that organisers asked for payment connected to award nominations.
“Professor Michael Kpessah-White has publicly alleged that organisers requested payment in connection with an award nomination,” the post read.
“Another public sector Chief Executive Officer privately shared a similar experience with me and chose not to participate in the event after organisers made financial demands. These allegations raise serious concerns and warrant careful scrutiny.”
To correct what the MP described as misconceptions, the post clarified that the awards were organised by a private event management company and not by the State.
The MP further noted that the awards were not a new phenomenon, saying officials under the previous administration had also participated in and sponsored similar events.
“We cannot justify a practice simply because others engaged in it before us,” the MP wrote, arguing that past criticisms of such practices remain relevant.
Calling for reform, the MP said Ghanaians elected the current government on a promise to uphold higher standards and strengthen public institutions.
He welcomed assurances from the Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, that the government will develop a regulatory framework to guide Corporate Social Responsibility activities of State-Owned Enterprises.
“I understand that the committee responsible for this work has already commenced its task. I welcome this initiative and hope it delivers clear standards that promote transparency, accountability, and good governance,” the MP said.
The post closed with an appeal to integrity: “We hold public office in trust for the people of Ghana. We must therefore conduct ourselves in ways that strengthen public confidence in our institutions. We should recognise excellence on merit, reward performance fairly, and reject practices that cast doubt on the integrity of public service.” The MP concluded, “MAY WE NOT BECOME WHAT WE CRITICISED !!!!”
Source: www.Kumasimail.com
