A United States-based Ghanaian Professor, Kwaku Asare has made a number of proposals to address the corruption menace in Ghana.
Among the proposals include publication of assets declared by public officials, conducting lifestyle audits on public officials, and streamlining responsibilities among Anti-Corruption Agencies, among others.
In a statement on his Facebook page, he stated that the fight against corruption is not merely a battle against individuals; it is a battle for the soul of our nation. Corruption undermines trust, wastes resources, and hinders development.
Confronting it requires courage, determination, and the political will to prioritize the public good above personal or partisan interests, he said.
“Corruption is not an insurmountable challenge. With courage, leadership, and collective effort, we can create a country where integrity thrives and corruption is no longer a barrier to our progress,” Prof Asare who is also a private legal practitioner said.
Below is his full statement…
Calls for 10 Key Steps in Combating Corruption
The fight against corruption is not merely a battle against individuals; it is a battle for the soul of our nation. Corruption undermines trust, wastes resources, and hinders development. Confronting it requires courage, determination, and the political will to prioritize the public good above personal or partisan interests.
To tackle this menace effectively, GOGO calls for bold and immediate measures that promote transparency, accountability, and integrity across all sectors of governance. These include:
- Immediate Asset Declaration and Publication
Public officials must declare their assets upon assuming office and at the end of their tenure. However, asset declaration’s true effectiveness depends on transparency and accountability. It is not enough for officials to file their declarations; these must also be published and accessible to the public to allow for scrutiny and build public trust.
- Specialized Corruption Courts
Establish dedicated courts to handle corruption cases swiftly and effectively. These courts must avoid the culture of endless adjournments and interlocutory appeals, which often derail justice. Swift and decisive rulings will act as a strong deterrent to corruption.
- Ethical, Competent, and Apolitical Judges
Corruption courts must be staffed with well-trained judges of impeccable integrity, proficient in forensic matters, and supported by expert witnesses. Their rulings must reflect fairness, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to justice, free from political interference.
- A Culture of Compliance
Foster a national culture where ethical behavior is the norm, not the exception. Compliance must be embraced at all levels, from public institutions to private organizations, to promote integrity and accountability. Let’s start by complying with traffic laws.
- Ban on Sole-Sourcing Procurement
Prohibit sole sourcing in public procurement except in rare and justifiable cases. Competitive bidding must become the standard to ensure value for money and minimize opportunities for favoritism and corruption.
- Lifestyle Audits
Conduct regular lifestyle audits of public officials to detect unexplained wealth and identify discrepancies between declared assets and observable living standards. This will help deter corrupt practices and hold officials accountable.
- Sunshine Policies
Transparency is critical. Mandate the immediate publication of government contracts, procurement details, and spending records to allow citizens to monitor public expenditure and ensure accountability.
- Streamlined Responsibilities Among Anti-Corruption Agencies
Resolve turf wars by clearly defining roles and responsibilities among agencies such as EOCO, OSP, and CHRAJ. This will enhance coordination, prevent duplication of efforts, and increase efficiency in the fight against corruption.
- Comprehensive Anti-Corruption Legislation
Codify corruption laws and broaden the definition of corruption-related offenses to include money laundering, tax evasion, and other predicate offenses. A robust legal framework is essential for effective enforcement.
- Strengthening Preventive Controls
Strengthen preventive controls to minimize opportunities for corruption. Prevention is as critical as enforcement, ensuring systems are designed to deter misconduct before it occurs. Adverse findings by the Auditor General’s must be acted upon decisively and in a way that prevents the recurrence of the malfeasance.
These are the practical steps that can transform how we address corruption. A genuine commitment to these actions will rebuild public trust, ensure the judicious use of resources, and lay the foundation for sustainable development.
Corruption is not an insurmountable challenge. With courage, leadership, and collective effort, we can create a country where integrity thrives and corruption is no longer a barrier to our progress.
GOGO is committed to ensuring this vision becomes a reality.
Da Yie!
