CHRAJ schools MPs on conflict of interest guidelines

Dodowa (GAR), June 26, GNA - Members of Parliament (MPs) have been asked to champion the national interest and not the interest of their various political parties.

Mr Richard Quayson, Deputy Commissioner in-charge of Public Education and Anti-Corruption of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), made the call at a day's training workshop organised by Commission for MPs on the "Guidelines on Conflict of Interest" at Dodowa near Accra on Saturday.

It was opened by Ms Anna Bossman, Deputy Commissioner of CHRAJ in-charge of Legal and Investigations, formed part of the Commission's activities to educate and sensitize the public on how to identify and manage conflict of interest situations in their endeavours. Mr. Quayson said " any person elected to a public office must see himself as a public figure and do things in the interest of the state" rather than pursue the agenda of his or her political party, which may conflict with the national aspirations.

The Deputy Commissioner, who was speaking on the topic "General Principles of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers of Ghana", asked MPs to refrain from acts that could compromise their integrity and encourage corruption.

Mr Quayson explained that putting other considerations above the national interest could prevent an officer from delivering the best for the country, a situation which might lead to corruption. He condemned the situation where an officer may favour a particular people in the ward of contracts because he or she belongs to the group. Mr Quayson stressed that MPs should uphold the national interest because it superseded all other interest, adding "After all, the moment a person is elected President, he or she assumes national duty and begins to work for the national interest, but not the interest of a particular group of people".

Nii Armah Ashietey, Greater Accra Regional Minister and MP for Osu Klotey-Korley, called on MPs and other public officials to champion the national interest.

He said that MPs, who represent the aspirations of their constituents and engaged in activities that would improve their lot do not discriminate in the discharge of their duties. Nii Armah Ashietey said "we do not ask our constituents whether the voted for us or not, we just assist all of them to achieve their aspirations".

He said the workshop was fruitful because it had exposed participants to perspectives on conflict of interest, which would help improve their activities. Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu, MP for Bekwai, commended CHRAJ for organising the workshop saying; it was useful and widened the scope of MPs on issues of conflict of interest.

He said every constituency had its peculiar issues adding that "but as MPs, we tried to juxtapox such issues to fall in line with the national aspirations for the common good of our people." He said MPs' ultimate concern was to deliver the best of services to the satisfaction of all. 26 June 10