CHRAJ responses to FOPA allegations

The Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justices (CHRAJ), has expressed concern about allegation by the Forum for Public Accountability (FOPA) that the Commission is unwilling to continue investigations into the petition presented against Dr Hannah Bissiw, Deputy Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing.

The FOPA, a pressure group, presented a petition dated 1st September 2011, to the Commission against Dr Bissiw for acquiring certain property and undertaken massive projects in her hometown, which could not be supported by her salary upon assumption of duty as Deputy Minister.

Ms. Lauretta Vivian Lamptey, the Commissioner for CHRAJ, at a press briefing in Accra at the weekend, said “the Commission has built its hard fought reputation on a strong commitment to its neutrality and independence and would at no point compromise that by taking instructions from any authority contrary to what the FOPA suggests.”

She said as required by the regulations governing the Commission’s investigations, the CHARJ immediately commenced preliminary investigations into the matter.

“As part of the preliminary investigations, the Commission has severally interacted and corresponded with both the FOPA and Dr Bissiw and other persons whom the Commission has determined could be of assistance to the investigations,” Ms Lamptey said.

She said the Commission has contacted not less than 15 institutions and individuals for information relevant to the case, and has visited the Tano South, the constituency of Dr Bissiw to gather facts and ascertain information on the matter.

Ms. Lamptey explained that the request by the FOPA to make public the responses of Dr Bissiw was not right, since the Commission was purely an investigative body and its investigative processes were inquisitorial and adversarial in nature.

“All persons involved in the case under investigation by the Commission, complainants and respondents alike are strictly speaking persons, who assist the Commission to unearth the truth,” she said.

Ms Lamptey said the allegation that she had secret meetings with Dr Bissiw and other persons was untrue, and neither has she (Commissioner) made the CHRAJ the wing of executive arm of Government.

She gave the assurance that the Commission would be commitment to the same standards and principles it has been established for, and it would continue to uphold its independence, neutrality, integrity and transparency in the performance of its constitutional duties.**