GHANA’s Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has reaffirmed the nation’s unwavering commitment to the fight against corruption, as he welcomed the African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption’s (AUABC) Review Mission to Parliament.
In a detailed briefing to the delegation, Rt. Hon. Bagbin outlined the strides made by Ghana’s Parliament in fulfilling its legislative mandate to combat corruption and enhance accountability. “We deeply appreciate the presence of the Review Mission in Ghana and are honoured to host you. Be assured that we are fully committed to the objectives of your visit,” he said.
The visit by the AU Review team marks nearly 20 years since the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption came into force on August 5, 2006. Rt. Hon. Bagbin described the Mission’s arrival as timely, underscoring the collective responsibility of African institutions to transform anti-corruption aspirations into tangible results.
Parliament’s Legislative and Oversight Achievements
Speaker Bagbin presented a comprehensive list of anti-corruption measures spearheaded by Parliament, including the passage of key laws such as:
● Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959)
● Witness Protection Act, 2018 (Act 975)
● Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989)
● Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Amendment Act, 2020 (Act 1079)
● Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044)
He noted that Parliament has prioritized enforcement mechanisms, with institutions like the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) working closely with the Office of the President to investigate financial and economic crimes.
Through enhanced oversight, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) held over 261 public sittings on Auditor-General’s reports, making 252 recommendations and recovering approximately GHC 273.3 million by the end of 2024.
Ethical Reforms and Citizen Engagement
Parliament has not only enforced accountability externally but also strengthened its internal ethics. Key initiatives include:
● Establishing the Ethics and Standards Committee, with a Commissioner soon to be appointed.
● Revisions to the Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament, covering issues such as conflict of interest, gifts, harassment, and misuse of public resources.
● Formation of new committees including the Office of Profit Committee, Petitions Committee, and Committee of Privileges.
● The Anti-Corruption Office under Parliament’s revised Standing Orders to bolster governance and integrity.
● A National Integrity Award Scheme is also being rolled out to recognise ethical leadership and expose misconduct through a dual system of awards for integrity and notoriety, involving respected figures from civil society and religious groups.
Rt. Hon. Bagbin also highlighted Parliament’s commitment to public transparency. Ghana’s Parliament was adjudged the Most Open Parliament in Africa in 2022. Furthermore, a Citizens’ Bureau has been set up to improve engagement with the public and the Petitions Committee allows citizens to submit grievances through their MPs.
Continental Commitment
As Chair of the Conference of Speakers of African Legislatures, the Speaker reaffirmed Parliament’s dedication to working with African Heads of State to push for global governance reforms.
“This is just a snapshot of Parliament’s efforts. We believe your Mission will leave with a clear understanding of our progress and intentions,” Rt. Hon. Bagbin told the AU delegation.
Looking Ahead
The Speaker assured the AU Review Mission of Parliament’s readiness to cooperate with all institutions and stakeholders visited during the assessment. “We look forward to your report and assure you of our commitment to take necessary steps to strengthen our fight against corruption,” he concluded.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
