CHRAJ to crack anti-corruption whips on MDAs

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has given Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) November 20 deadline to submit anti-corruption implementation action plan.

Mr Richard A. Quayson, acting CHRAJ Commissioner, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Accra on Monday that Government in March directed all MDAs and MMDAs to develop appropriate ethical environments to minimise the opportunities and incentives for corruption.

He said all Ministers, Chief Executives and Heads of Public Sector institutions were mandated to submit quarterly reports on the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP) to the Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (MONICOM) at CHRAJ, and send copies to the Office of the President.

Mr Quayson said it was demonstration of government’s revulsion for corruption and commitment to investigating and prosecuting persons suspected of corruption.

In addition, each MDA and MMDA should provide the public with information on what measures it has implemented to combat corruption, how and to whom within that entity the public may report cases of corruption.

He said since education was vital in building intolerance towards corruption and encouraging the active involvement of the population in the fight, Civil Society Organisations and the media ought to support anti-corruption messages which encourage citizens to report breaches of regulations and procedures, such as those relating to financial management and conflict of interest.

“It is also imperative that we introduce score cards and other micro-assessment techniques to monitor routine administrative corruption and service delivery performance,” he said.

Mr Quayson explained that most MDAs and MMDAs had failed to comply with the Government’s directives and as implementing body, “we have no option than to issue directives to remind all Heads of Institutions of their obligation.

“After the deadline we will name and shame all those who failed to submit the list through publication in the media, whilst those who were able to meet the deadline will be commended that will be the first step”.

The Acting CHRAJ boss also reminded the Chairman of the Public Services Commission, the Head of Civil Service, Heads of State Enterprises Commission and Heads of all other Public Sector Institutions of their obligation to ensure compliance.

“All Heads of Public Sector Institutions and the leadership at all levels of these institutions are to take full responsibility for their areas of oversight and ensure that measures are taken to combat corruption including the implementation of roles specifically assigned under NACAP.

He said: “The implementation of NACAP shall henceforth form a major criterion for assessing the performance of Ministries, Chief Directors and all Heads of Public Sector Institutions. This is a government directive and we will work with appropriate state institutions to enforce it”.

He noted that NACAP integrates anti-corruption measures into the programmes and activities of public sector organisations, particularly MDAs and MMDAs and key actors in the private sector.

NACAP enables collective action and sustained co-ordination of efforts, as well as the judicious application of resources of stakeholders to combat corruption.

NACAP seeks to mobilise national efforts to ensure the effective control of corruption. It does not aim at blaming any particular sector for corruption in Ghana.

It constitutes the benchmark to assess the performance of stakeholders, especially government, in the fight against corruption.

The NACAP will therefore guide stakeholders in their roles and responsibilities to combat corruption.