CHRAJ organises seminar for Local government functionaries

Bolgatanga, Jan. 28, GNA- The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) in the Upper East Region would monitor all district assemblies in the region to ensure administrative compliance with laid-down rules, regulations and procedures to ensure transparency and good governance.

Mr Joseph Whittal, the regional director of the Commission, said CHRAJ would take action arising from its monitoring exercises, and forward its findings to the "appropriate higher authorities for action."

He was addressing a one-day seminar at Bolgatanga for local government functionaries. It was organised by the CHRAJ with support from Action Aid Ghana.

Mr Whittal said although the country had sufficient laws and institutions to ensure transparency and accountability in the conduct of public officers, these officers disregard those laws in the performance of their duties.

He said despite the existence of enough evidence of corruption, very few prosecutions have taken place since the 1992 constitution came into effect.

He attributed this to lack of political will to bring the culprits to book, adding that the Attorney-General as a member of the ruling government is often unwilling to prosecute colleagues.

"It is about time the idea of prosecuting corrupt public officials by the Attorney General is dispassionately looked at," he said. Mr Whittal challenged the Executive and Parliament to move beyond "pious rhetoric and slogan chanting" and empower CHRAJ to take up the role of prosecuting corruption in the public service.

The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Mahami Salifu, said the NPP government had set a target for itself in terms of its commitment to the cardinal principle of "zero tolerance for corruption".

He said the action being taken by CHRAJ to monitor the district assemblies in the region to enforce laid down regulations on the disbursement of public funds had become imperative following the hue and cry from the general public, especially on award of contracts, administration and management.