A former President of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, Professor S.K.B Asante is advocating for the setting up of an independent agency to deal with issues of corruption in the country.
[contextly_sidebar id=”BYbsMGJGVb95gFEEEKtUHtNQ5Nblhv9y”]According to him, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), which is expected to perform such functions, is seriously incapacitated.
Speaking in an interview with Citi News, Professor S.K.B Asante justified his call by bemoaning the negative effect of corruption on the economy.
“We need a real dynamic highly committed agency to deal with corruption, a very strong dynamic independent body that will be set up within the constitution,” he said.
According to human rights watchers, the image of CHRAJ has been severely dented in the last few months after the Commissioner was accused of indulging in acts that have brought the name of the Commission in disrepute.
The Commissioner, Ms Lauretta Vivian Lamptey is currently being investigated by the Attorney General’s Department for spending taxpayers money on hotel bills instead of occupying her official residence.
“I know that we have CHRAJ enshrined in the constitution as well, but you see the present situation of CHRAJ; do you think its people will get the moral strength to investigate any corruption? Would it actually be free from interference from the executive?” Professor Asante asked.
Ghana in recent times has also recorded a number of huge corruption cases including financial malfeasance at the Savannah Accelerated Authority (SADA), and the infamous payment of GH¢51 million to businessman, Alfred Agbesi Woyome.
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By: Godwin Allotey Akweiteh/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin