GACC cautions on CHRAJ boss’ probe

The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) has appealed to all and sundry to exercise patience regarding the probe of Lauretta Vivian Lamptey, the boss of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), and allow due process to be followed.

According to the antigraft body, this is necessary in order not to compromise the independence of the Commission.

The CHRAJ commissioner came under public criticism over allegations that she had been staying at the Best Western Premier Hotel since August last year at a cost of $450 (GH¢1,400) per day to the state, while renovation of her official residence had stalled since 2011.

It was estimated that her accommodation alone had cost the state some GH¢160,000 in three months.

In a statement jointly signed by Nana Osei- Bonsu and Linda Ofori- Kwafo, chairman and executive secretary of GACC respectively, the group “encouraged the public to continue to have confidence and trust in CHRAJ as an institution in the discharge of its functions and in the capacity of the Chief Justice to investigate the matter to its logical conclusion.”

It stated that it was incumbent on officials who hold public office and are paid with public funds to demonstrate the highest standards of integrity in the performance of their duties.

According to the statement, GACC was confident that its own members would live above reproach and was therefore in full support of the on-going investigations with respect to the alleged acts of abuse of office levelled against Ms. Lamptey.

“Core to GACC’s anticorruption mandate is the promotion of honesty, transparency, accountability and integrity in public office and therefore on several occasions the Coalition has demanded same from leadership of political and public institutions in Ghana”, the statement said.

The coalition also commended the actions of Frank Annor-Dompreh, Member of Parliament for Nsawam Adoagyiri and Richard Nyamah of the Progressive Nationalist Forum for using the rule of law channels to lodge a complaint to President Mahama to act appropriately and in accordance with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana in this matter.