GII pushes for prosecution in the code of ethics for appointees

Anti-graft body, the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) has challenged the president to move beyond mere threats of appointment terminations to emphasize prosecution of ministers who violate key provisions in the code of ethics for political appointees.

President John Mahama yesterday launched the code of ethics for ministers and political appointees touching on a wide range of issues including conflict of interest, dealing with lobbyist and accepting gifts.

Ministers could have their appointments terminated if they violate the code.

But Executive Director of GII, Vitus Azeem says the emphasis must shift quickly to enforcement.

“It will not make much of a difference if it is just like other previous policies that are just done for political purposes without any force. There must be a commitment to enforce this code; otherwise they will just be another waste of time.”

He also said the president must consider amending the list of sanctions to include prosecution.

He added: “The code that was launched stop short of things like being prosecuted, stolen monies being recovered if you are found to have stolen monies. So again there is some shortage in what has been launched and it should be amended to provide for harsher sanctions if people don’t comply.”

Meanwhile, the sanctions prescribed in the code of ethics can only be enforced at the discretion of the president.