The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has raised concerns about the inadequacy of Ghana’s current legal framework to effectively tackle corruption.
Samuel Appiah Darko, Director of Strategy, Evaluation, and Communication at the OSP, emphasized the need for more robust and efficient anti-corruption laws during a forum held in Accra on Thursday, November 14.
“Ghana has many laws, but they are not efficient. As a lawyer and someone in the anti-corruption field, I’m not pleased that we haven’t passed the Conduct of Public Officers’ Bill. But honestly, given its current form, passing it would just make it another white elephant,” Mr. Appiah Darko stated.
He highlighted significant gaps in existing legislation, pointing out that the laws addressing issues like the acceptance of gifts by public officials are incomplete. “For instance, in the UK, a Member of Parliament cannot accept a gift exceeding £300. However, in Ghana’s Conduct of Public Officers’ Bill, there is no such ceiling,” he explained.
Mr. Appiah Darko called for a comprehensive overhaul of anti-corruption laws to address such deficiencies and ensure that legal provisions are practical and enforceable. He urged policymakers to prioritize the creation of an efficient legal framework that supports the fight against corruption and promotes accountability among public officials.
The remarks underscore the ongoing challenges Ghana faces in implementing effective measures to curb corruption and ensure good governance.
