A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), including OccupyGhana, has released a joint statement expressing their profound disappointment with the government’s failure to approve the Conduct of Public Officers (CoPO) Bill of 2022.
The statement highlights the Cabinet’s reluctance to pass the bill, despite repeated assurances from the President, the Attorney-General, and international bodies, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), that the law would be enacted.
The CoPO Bill, first introduced in 2008 and presented to Parliament several times since 2015, is aimed at reforming the declaration of assets, managing conflicts of interest, and enhancing the accountability of public officials.
The bill seeks to address longstanding issues, such as delays in the constitutional requirement for public officers to declare their assets before assuming office, a rule that has often been ignored.
Despite commitments by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in 2019 and previous recommendations by Parliament’s Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee in 2020, the bill remains in legislative limbo.
The CSOs argue that the current Cabinet’s refusal to approve the bill is based on false claims that existing laws are sufficient to regulate the conduct of public officers.
The CSOs pointed out that corruption in the public sector continues to rise. They cited a recent Afrobarometer survey showing that 77% of Ghanaians believe corruption has worsened and that 69% of citizens fear retaliation if they report cases of corruption.
The joint statement emphasized the urgency of enacting the CoPO Bill, stating that it could help restore public trust in government institutions and reduce widespread corruption.
The coalition called on Ghanaians, fellow CSOs, and the media to join their campaign to ensure the swift approval and passage of the bill into law.
The statement concluded with a call to action, urging the Cabinet to approve the bill and forward it to Parliament for swift enactment, stressing that the legislation is critical for promoting integrity and transparency in Ghana’s public sector.
Below is the full statement
Press Release – CSOs Joint Statement on CoPO Bill
Source: Isaac Kofi Dzokpo/newsghana.com.gh
