Ghana Pledges Strong Anti-Corruption Efforts – Speaker

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Ghana’s Parliament has made significant strides in improving public sector accountability.

 According to Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, between 2021 and 2024, the committee issued 252 recommendations and helped recover GH₵273.3 million in misused public funds.

Speaking during a visit by a five-member delegation from the African Union (AU) Advisory Board Against Corruption, the Speaker said the recovery was part of PAC’s rigorous review of Auditor-General’s reports over the past three years.

AU Delegation Assesses Ghana’s Anti-Corruption Efforts

The AU delegation, led by Chairperson Seynabou Ndiaye Diakhate, is in Ghana for a week-long working mission to monitor the country’s progress under the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption.

During the meeting, Mr. Bagbin reiterated Ghana’s firm commitment to transparency and public accountability, highlighting several key legislative milestones:

 Major Anti-Corruption Laws Passed:

• Whistleblowers Act
• Witness Protection Act
• Right to Information Act
• Anti-Money Laundering Act (2020)
• Special Prosecutor Act
• Amendments to the Criminal and Other Offences Act

“Any time a person wants public information, they are entitled to it. There should be no darkness in government operations,” the Speaker said.

Strengthening Parliament from Within

Mr. Bagbin also outlined Parliament’s internal reforms to promote ethics and accountability:

• A corruption risk assessment was conducted as part of Parliament’s corporate strategic plan.
• Parliament’s Standing Orders have been revised.
• New bodies like the Ethics and Standard Committee and the Committee on Office and Profits have been created to monitor conduct within Parliament.

“We’re focused on building trust in Parliament, its members, and the governance process,” the Speaker emphasized.

AU Applauds Ghana’s Anti-Corruption Progress

AU Chairperson Ms. Diakhate commended Ghana for its continued efforts, saying the country’s progress reflected a strong political will to curb corruption and protect public trust.

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