Call for check moonlighting by public officials

Cape Coast, Dec. 15, GNA - Mr Richard Asiedu-Badu, a circuit court judge in Cape Coast, on Friday expressed concern about the practice of moonlighting among some public officials saying it was not only detrimental to the efficient discharge of their official duties but also contravened the law.

He specifically cited doctors and midwives of public health facilities; some of whom he said were operating their own clinics and maternity homes, a practice, which also constituted conflict of interest.

Mr Asiedu-Badu, expressed these sentiments at a public forum on: "Promoting transparency and accountability in the public service: A focus on the new guidelines on conflict of interest for public officials" for regional heads of department in Cape Coast. The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) organized it.

The judge was unhappy that although such practices, were "public knowledge", nothing had been done to halt them. Mr Asiedu-Badu, also cited instances where some officials of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) owned football clubs and argued that even if there was a policy allowing it, it should be reviewed because the "constitutional provisions frown on it". He called on the Commission to submit memoranda on the issue to the appropriate quarters for the necessary action, stressing: "Make the public know that these things are illegal". Mr Charles Ayamdoo, Deputy Director, for Anti-corruption at the Commission, took the participants through practices, which constituted abuse of office or power and conflict of interest as well as the need to refrain from accepting gifts, which might impinge on the impartial discharge of their duties.

He urged them to study the guidelines on the conflict of interest, which he said the Attorney General's Department was working towards making them into law, to enhance the discharge of their duties.